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THE LOCAL HISTORY 



OF : 



BiiNliOGTOK, 



1860—1883. 



The Militarg Histori] of the Coiintij, 

BY HON. HI LAND HALL, GOV., M. C. 

WITH PAPKRS ON BENNINGTON BATTLE, CATAMOUNT TAVER> 
POST-OFFICE, VILLAGE STRIFES IN THE TOWN OF BENNINGTO 
FROM 1784 TO 1^83, AND BEENNINGTON FREE LIBRARY. El 

With the Biographij of Govenor^Hall 

FROM THE Fji^HLY AND OTHERS: 

AND FURTHER ACTION IX REGARD TO 

The Bennington Monument 

IN WHICH HE TOOK A PROMINENT PART. 

BY HNERY^D. HALL, ESQ. 

WITH 

BENNINGTON VILLAGE! 

BENNINGTON, NORTH BP:NNINGT0N. 
' ' ' REN>,T^'GTON CENTRE, 

AND THEIR INDUSTRIES. 



ABBY MARIA HE ME NW AY, Editor. 
\\ 

[ NO. 29 NEWBURY AVE. ] 
CHICAGO : 



•^/f^6 



•or 






THE MILITARY HISTORY 



AND 



CENSUS OF BENNINGTON COUNTY, 

BY HON. HILAND HALL, LL.D. 



THE COUNTY OF BENNINGTON 

BY HON. HILAND HALL. 

Notices of the County prior to 1860 
are found in Volume I at pages 121 and 
250-253. 

POPULATION. 

At page 251 is a table showing the 
population of each of the towns in the 
county, at the dates when the census 
was taken up to and including the cen- 
sus of 1860. Below is a like table 

of the population of the same towns 
by the census of 1860, 1870, 1880, 
as follows: 

Bennington Co.— 1860— 1870— 1880. 
Arlington, —1146—1636—1532, 

gain 386. 
Bennington, —4302—5760—6333, 
gain 2031. 

Dorset, —2090—2195—2005, 

loss 85. 
Glastenbury, — 47 — 119— 241, 

gain 194. 
Landgrove, — 320 — 302 — 266, 

loss 74. 
Manchester, —1688—1897—1928, 

gain 240. 
Peru, — 556, 

gain 13. 



Pownal, —1733—1705—2015, 

gain 282. 

Eeadsborough, — 929— 828— 745, 
loss 184. 



Rupert, 


—1103—1017— 957, 




loss 146. 


Sandgate, 


— 805— 705— 681. 




loss 124. 


Searsbnrg 


— 263— 235— i'.!2. 




loss 31. 


Shaftsbury, 


—1937—2027—1887, 




loss 50. 


Stamford, 


— 760— 633— 726, 




loss 34. 


Sunderland, 


— 567 — 553 — 655, 




gain 88. 


Winhall, 


— 741— 842— 721, 




loss 20. 


Woodford, 


— 379— 371— 487, 




gain 108. 




—19443-21325-21947 



B}' this table it will be seen that the 
population of the county for the twen- 
ty years from 1860 to 1880 has in- 
creased from 19.443 to 21.947, being 
a gain of 2.504 and that in general 
there has been a slight decrease iii the 
towns which are almost exclusively 
devoted to agricultural pursuits : while 
the gain in numbers has been in those 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



engaged in manufactures and lumber- at Lexington. The enthusiasm for sus-^ 
ing, viz: in Arlington, Bennington, j taining the government of the Union 
Glastenbury, Manchester, Pownal, was intense. 



Sunderland and Woodford. The large 
percentage of increase in Glasteubui'V 
is attributed to the construction of the 
Glastenbury railroad of about 9 miles 
in length from Bennington up into the 
mountain regions, from which lumber 
and charcoal have been more cheaply 
transported to the South and East than 
formerly. 



BENNINGTON COUNTY IN 

THE WAR FOR THE UNION. 

The patriotic ardor ^^ hich pervaded the 
North on the fall of Fort Sumpter and 
the consequent call of the President- of 
April 15th 1861, for 75.000 volunteers 
was as earnest and active in the town 
and countj^ of Bentiington in its de- 
termination to suppress the rebellion 
and preserve the Union, as in any 
part of the country. In Bennington, 
the flag of the stars and stripes, the 
symbol and representative of love of 
Country and of the Union, was at 
once suspended acrost the streets and 
displayed on public buildings and pri- 
vate dwellings. 

THE FIRST WAK-MEETING. 

A public meeting was held on the 
evening of the 19th of April, filling 
the largest hall in town, that was at- 
tended and addressed by men of both 
political parties. During the meeting- 
news came of the massacre, on the 
morning of that day, of Massachusetts 
men on their way at the call of the 
President for the defense of the Capitol, 



The Star Spangled Banner was sung 
and stirring resolutions were unani- 
mously passed to take thef most ener- 
getic measures to raise men for that 
purpose. Similar patriotic action was 
taken by other towns of the Count}\ 

The Govenorof the State had prompt- 
called an extra session of the Legisla- 
ture which met on the 23d of April 
and enacted laws for raising, organiz- 
ing and equipping as volunteers, or by 
drafting, if found necessary, such num- 
ber of regiments as might be required 
by the General Government ; and also 
made provisions for paying the non- 
commissioned officers and privates who 
should enter the service, $7 per month 
beyond the usual pay allowed by the 
United States. To meet the immediate 
call of the President, ten companies 
of already organized militia in differ- 
ent towns of the State were mustered 
into the service of the United States on 
the 2d. of Ma}' for three months, which 
constituted the First Vermont Regiment 
in the War for the Union. The com- 
panies were from the following towns, 
viz: 
Compan}- A., S wanton, Franklin Co. 

Co. B., Woodstock, Windsor Co. 

Co. C, St. Albans, Franklin Co. 

Co. D., Bradford, Orange Co. 

Co. E.,' Cavendish, Windsor Co. 

Co. F., Northfield, WashingtonCo. 

Co. G., Brandon, Rutland Co. 

Co. H., Burlington, Chittenden Co. 

Co. L, Middlebur}', Addison Co, 

Co, K,, Rutland, Rutland Co. 



by a mob of Secessionists at Baltimore. 
The day was recalled as the anniver- ; The regiment was under the command 
sar}' of the murdering assault on the of Col. J. W, Phelps and consisted of 
Revolutionary patriots by the Brittish ' .780 men. 



BENNINGTON, 



THE SECOND REGIMENT 



FOR THREE YEARS SERVICE. 

A full company of volunteers for 
permanent service was speedily recruit- 
ed in Bennington, a list of the names 
of which, both officers and men with the 
towns from which they came will be 
found in the first volume of this Gaz- 
etteer at page 259. 

This company of which the com- 
missioned officers were: James H. 
Walbridge, Captain and Newton Stone 
and William H. Cady, lieutenants, was 
the first company, raised in the State 
for the three years service, and ac- 
cordingly became Company A of the 
Regiment. 

The Regiment was mustered into 
the U, S. service, June 20, 1861, and 
continued in the service more than 
four years, until July loth 1865 when 
the regiment was mustered out. 

The term of the men who had first 
enlisted had expired before that time 
and their places had been supplied by 
second enlistments of the same men in 
pai-t, but largely by new recruits, so 
that the majority of the men, both offi- 
cers and privates of which the regiment 
had been originally composed was prob- 
ably, from this cause in connection \yith 
the various casualties incident to so 
long a service, no longer members of 
it. 

This remark applies with slowly 
decreasing effect to the subsequently 
raised regiments for the three years 
service. 

All the troops hereafter mentioned 
were for three years, except the loth 
and 14th regiments which were for 9 
months only. 



The following is a Roster of the 
Field, Staff and Company Officers 
from the County of Bennington of the 

SECOND VERMONT REGIMENT 



of Volunteers, it being a list of their 
names, the towns of their residence, 
their age, the dates, ranks and compa- 
nies in which they began service, with 
those of their several promotions and 
the dates and manner of the termina- 
tion of their service ; compiled from 
the Reports of the Adjutant General 
of the State, A'ol. 3 for 1866. 

JAMES H. WALBRIDGE 

of Bennington, age 34, entered the ser- 
vice as Captain, Co. A, May 14, 1861 ; 
Major, May 21. 1862; Lieut. Col. 
Jan. 8, 1863 ; Colonel Feb. 9, 1863 ; 
resigned, Apr. 1, 1864. 

NEWTON STONE 

of Bennington, age 23, entered the ser- 
vice as 1st Lieut., Co. A May 14, 1861 ; 
Capt. Co. I, Jan. 22, 1862; Major, 
Jan. 8, 1863; Lieut. Col. Feb. 9, 1863; 
Colonel, Apr 2, 1864; killed at the 
battle of the Wilderness, Va. Maj' 5, 
1864. His remains were brought to 
Bennington and interred in the old 
Centre buiying-groand, where an ap- 
propriate monument is erected to his 
memory. 

GUILFORD S. LADD 

of Bennington, age 30, entered the ser- 
vice, June 11, 1861, resigned, July 17, 
1862. 

WILLIA5I H. CADY 

of Bennington, age 24, entered the 
service as 2d Lieut., Co. A, May 14, 
1861 ; Lst Lieut.. Co. A, Jan. 22, 1862; 
Capt., May 21. 1862 ; wounded at the 
Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864; mus- 
tered out of service, June 29, 1864. 
He died at Bennington, February 24, 
1879. 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



PRATT ST'^>NE 

of Readsboro', age 26, entered the 
service as private, Co. A, May 20, 
1861 ; Serg't., Nov. 1, 1861 : Ist Sergt, 
Oct. U, 1862 ; wounded, May 3, 1863, 
rc-enlisted, Dec. 21, 1863; 1st Lieut., 
Co. D, Jane 20, 1864; Capt., Dec. 24. 
1864; resigned, June 9, 1865. 

EUGENE O. COLE 

of Shaftsbury. age 27, private, Co. A. 
entered service, May 7, 1861 ; Serg't, 
June 20, 1861 ; Isl Sergt., Sept. 14, 
1861 ; 2d Lieut. Co. A, May 21, 1862 ; 
1st Lieut., Oct. 17, 1862; mustered out 
of service, June 29, 1864. ( See Fifth 
Regiment.) 

EDWARD W^. APPLET*' N 

of Bennington, age 23, entered the ser- 
vice as private, Co. A, JMay, 14, 1861 ; 
1st Sergt. June 20, 1861; 2d Lieut., 
Co. H, Sept 12, 1861 ; 1st Lieut., Co. 
B, Jan. 25,1862; discharged for dis- 
ability, Sept. 25, 1862. 

OTIS V. ESTES 

of Bennington, age 25, private, Co. A, 
May 7, 1861: Sergt., June 20, 1861 ; 
1st Sergt. May 21, 1862; 2d Lieut, 
October 17, 1862; wounded, May 12, 
1864; mustered out May 25, 1864. 

BURR T. COLE 

of Shaftsbury, age 19, private. Co. A, 
September 15, 1862 ; wounded, May 6, 
1864; Corporel, December 1, 1864; 1st 
Sergt., Feb. 7, 1865; 2d Lieut , June 7, 
1865: mustered out as 1st Sergt. July 
21, 1865. 

CHARLES M. BLISS 

of Woodford, age 34, entered the ser- 
vice as private, Co. A, May 7, 1861 ; 
Sergt., June 20, 1861 ; 2d Lieut., Sept. 
2, 1861. Honorably discharged, Octo- 
ber 4. 1862. 



RUSSELL FISK 

of Bennington, age 36, private, Co. 
A, Dec. 1, 1863 ; Sergt. Major, Feb. 7, 
1865; 2d Lieut., June 7, 1865; mus- 
tered out as Sergt. Major, July 15, 
1865. 

This Regiment was in 28 engage- 
ments. 

THE FOURTH REGIMENT. 

The three years company A of the 4th 
regiment was recruited at Bennington, 
of which John E. Pratt was captain, 
Abel K. Parsons and Gideon H. Bur- 
ton lieutenants. A list of both the offi- 
cers and men with the towns from 
which they came will be found in Vol. 1 
of this Gazetteer at page 260. This 
company with the regiment was mus- 
tered into service Sept. 26, 1861 and 
mustered out, July 13, 1865. 

Roster of the Field, Staff and 
Company Officers, 
john e. pratt 
of Bennington age 26, entered the ser- 
vice as Capt., Co. A. Aug. 27, 1861 ; 
Major Apr. 30, 1864 ; Lieut. Col., Mar. 
14, 1865; mustered out July 13, 1865. 
He died, in Bennington, Oct. 7, 1882. 

JOHN H. CUSHMAN 

of Bennington, age 32, Quartei master, 
Aug. 10, 1861 ; mustered into service, 
Sept. 21, 1861 ; resigned, Jan'y. 24, 
1863 ; died in Bennington, 187- 

HENRY T. CUSHMAN 

of Bennington, age 18, enlisted as Reg. 
Qt. M. Sergt., Mar. 1862, commission- 
ed, Jan. 29, 1863; mustered out, Sept. 
30, 1864. 

HOWARD C. CHAPIN 

of Readsboro', age 20, private, Co. A, 
Aug. 13, 1861, Corp. ; 



Sept., 21, 1861, Sergt. ; 2d Lieut., Co. 
B, Aug. 1, 1862; 1st Lieut., Co. F, 



BENNINGTON. 



^ 



Apr. 1, 1863; Capt., May 5, 1864; 
mustered out, July 13, 1865. 

ABEL K. PARSONS 

of Bennington, age 32, 1st Lieut., Aug. 
27, 1861 ; mastered into service, Sept. 
21, 1861; Killed in action at Cold 
Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864. 

GIDEON H. BURTOX 

of Bennington, age 23, 2d Lieut., Co. 
A, Aug. 27, 1861 ; 1st Lieut., July 17, 
1862 ; resigned, Feb. 14, 1863. 

NATHAN A. SMITH 

of Shaftsbmy, age 19, private, Co. A., 
Sept. 2, 1861 ; Corp., July 31, 1863 ; re- 
enlisted, Dec. 15, 1863 ; wounded, May 
5, 1864; Sergt., Sept. 21, 1864 ; Reg't. 
Qt. M. Sergt., Feb. 4, 1865 ; 2d Lieut., 
Feb. 27, 1865; mustered out July 13, 
1865. 

This Regiment was in twenty-six 
engagements. 

THE FIFTH REGIMENT. 

The 3 years Company E of the Fifth 
Regiment was recruited at Manchester 
and with the regiment was mustered 
into service, Sept. 16, 1861, and mus- 
tered out, June 29, 1865. 
Roster vf the Field, Staff and Com- 
pany Officers from Bennington Co. 

CHARLES p. DUDLEY 

of Manchester, age 26, Capt., Co. E, 



SAMUEL C. BURNHAM 

of Manchester, age 22, 2d Lieut., Co. 
E, Aug. 30,1861; 1st Lieut., Co. E, 
July 24, 1862; Capt., Oct. 6, 1862; re- 
signed, Feb. 17, 1863. 

GEORGE H. SESSIONS 

of Manchester, age 21, enlisted in the 
Vet. Res. Corps. Sept. 16, 1863; trans- 
ferred into Co. — May 7, 1864; 1st 
Lieut., Co. L July 25, 1864; Capt., Co. 
E., Nov. 10. 1864: mustered out, June 
29. 1865. 

WARREN R. DUNTON 

of Dorset, age 22, private, Co. E, Aug. 
14, 1861 ; 1st Sergt., Sep. 16, 1861 ; 2d 
Lieut.. Co. F, June 21. 1862; transfer- 
red to Co. C, July 9, 1862; 1st Lieut. 
Co. B, Nov. 22, 1862. Honorably dis- 
charged, Mar. 31, 1863, for wounds in 
action at Fredricksburgh, Va., Dec. 
14, 1862, 

JEROME GLEASON 

uf Manchester, age 28, private, Co. E, 
Sept. 27; 1861 ; Corp. ; Sergt. ; 1st 
Sergt.; — re-enhsted, Dec. 15, 1863; 
1st Lieut., Nov. 10,1864; wounded 
May 5, 1864. Honorably discharged 
June 2, 1865, for disability. 

J<^SHUA A. SHATTUCK 

of Winhall, age 19, private Co. E., 
Dec. 8, 1863; wounded June 3, 1864; 
Corp. Oct. 24, 1864: Sergt., Dec. 16, 
1864; 2d Lieut., June 4, 1865 ; mus- 



Aug. 30, 1861; Major, Oct. 6, 1862 ; tered out of service as Sergt. June 29, 



Lieut. Col., May 6, 1864 ; died, May 
21, 1864, of wounds received at the 
battle of the Wilderness, May 10, 1864. 

EUGENE O. COLE 

of Bennington, age 31, appointed Maj- 
or, Dec. 26, 1864; Brevet Lieut. Col., 
Apr. 2, 1865, for gallantry in the battle 
of Petersburgh. Va., Apr. 2, 1865; 
Lieut. Col.. June 9, 1864; mustered out 
as Major, June 29, 1865 



1865. 

This Regiment was in twenty-five 
engagements. 
FIRST CAVELRY REGIMENT- 

THREE YEARS. 

The next Company that was enlist- 
ed in the County of Bennington, was 
Co. G. of the First Cavelry Regiment, 
which was mainly recruited at Ben- 
nington. The regiment was mustered 



10 



THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



into the service, Nov. 19, 1861, and 
mustered out Aug. 9, 1865. 

Roster of Field, Staff and Company 
Officers from Bennington County. 

william d. collins. 
of Beimingtoii, age 37, Major, Nov., 
1, 1861; mustered, Nov. 19, 1861 ; re- 
signed, May 7, 1863. 

JAMES A. SHELDON. 

of Rupert, age 39, Capt., Oct. 18, 1861 ; 
resigned. Mar. 12, 1862. 

ALVAH R. HASWELL 

of Bennington, age 19, private, Co. G, 
Oct. 2, 1861 ; Sergt., Dec. 24, 1862; 
wovmded, Sept. 13, 1863 ; re-enlisted 
Dec. 30, 1863 ; 1st Lieut., Co. G, Nov. 
19, 1864; Capt., Co. G, May 9, 1865 ; 
transferred to Co. E, June 21, 1865, 
by reason of consolidation of the regi- 
ment; mustered out of service, Aug. 9 ; 
1865. 

GEORGE H. BEjVN 

of Pownal, age 34, 1st Lieut., Co. G, 
Oct. 18, 1861; Capt., Apr. 10 1862; 
dismissed the service, Apr. 28, 1863. 

FRANK RAY 

of Bennington, age 23, private, Co. 
G, Sept. 26,1861; 1st Sergt., Nov., 
19, 1861 ; 1st Lieut., Co. G, Oct. 4, 
1862; Capt., Co. G, Apr. 28, 1863; 
wounded. May 11, 1864; killed in ac- 
tion at Mount Olive, Va., Oct. 9, 1864. 

DENNIS M. BLACKMER 

of Bennington, age 22, 2d Lieut. Co 
G, Oct. 18, 1861; 1st Lieut., Apr. 10' 
1862; resigned, July 18, 1862. 

FREDERICK W. COOK 

of Manchester, age 22, private, Co. G, 
Sept. 28, 1861: Co. Com. Sergt., July 
19, 1863; re-enlisted, Dec. 30. 1863; 
2d Lieut., Co. G, Nov. 19,1864; 1st 
Lieut., May 9, 1865; mustered out, 
June 21, 18G5. 



This Regiment was in seventy- three 
engagements. 

THE SEVENTH REGIMENT— 

THREE YEARS. 

Few men of the Seventh Regiment 
were from Bennington. There is a re- 
cord of only two officers which is as 
follows : 

ARNOLD P. W^AIT 

of Dorset, age 26, private, Co. D Dec. 

11, 1861 ; Corp., July 12, 1862; Sergt. 
Oct. 1 1862 ; 1st Sergt., May 1. 1863 ; 
re-enlisted, Feb. 16, 1864; 1st Lieut., 
Feb. 28, 1865. Honorably discharged 
Aug.- 13, 1865, for disability. 

GEORGE BROWN 

of Rupert, age 25. Sergt., Major, Feb. 

12, 1862; 2d Lieut-, Co. E, Aug, 28, 
1862 ; i.st Lieut., Dec. 9, 1862. Dis- 
honorably dismissed the service, Dec. 
23, 1864, for habitual intoxication and 
being a worthless, inefficient officer. 

This Regiment was in five engage- 
ments. 

THE EIGHTH REGIMENT ;— 

THREE YEARS. 

Of this Eighth Regiment there is a 
record of only one officer from the 
County, as follows : 

IIYMENIUS A. DAVIS 

of Landgrove, age 18, private, Co. H, 
Dec, 23„ 1861; Corp, Feb. 18, 1862; 
Sergt., re-enlisted, Jan. 5, 1864 ; 1st 
Sergt. April 12, 1864 ; 2d Lieut., Mar. 
3, 1865; mustered out of service, June 
28, 1865. 

This Regiment was in seven engage- 
ments. 

THE TENTH REGIMENT;— 

THREE YEARS. 

Company E of the Tenth Regiment 
was recruited at Bennington, of which 
Madison E. Winslow was the first cap- 
tain. The regiment was musteied in. 



BENNINGTON. 



11 



service, Sept. 1, 1862 and mustered 
ont Jane 29,1865. 

Roster ok the Officeks fuom 
Bennington County, 
alonzo b. valentine 
of Bennington, age 32, Qt. M., July 
31, 1862; promoted Capt. and Com. 
of subsistence U. S. Vols., March 2, 
1 804; promoted to Brevet Major, Jane 
28, 1865 for meritorious services; left 
the army on account of the close of the 
war. 

MERRIT BARHEU 

of Pownal, age 26, Co. E, 1st. Lieut. 
Aug. 7, 1862, appointed Capt. and A 
A. G. U.S. Vols., December 31, 1864; 
Brevet Major, Oct. 19, 1804, for 
gallantry in every action since Ma}' 5, 
1864, and particularly at Cedar Creek, 
Va., Oct. 19, 1864 ;— now, 1883, in 
the regular army of the United States 
with the rank of Major. 

SAMUEL GREER 

of Dorset, age 22, private, Co. C, 
•Aug. 5, 1862, Corp., Sept. 25, 1863; 
Sergt., July 23, 1864; Avounded, Oct. 
19, 1864; 2d Lieut., Co. C, Dec. 19, 
1864; 1st Lieut , Feb. 9, 1865; muster- 
tere'd out of service, June 22, 1865. 

WALTER GRAHAM 

of Arlington, age 21, private, Co. E, 
July 19, 1862; Corp., Nov. 29, 1802; 
Sergt., Dec. 27, 1862; 1st Sergt., Dec. 
31,1862; 2d Lieut., June 15, 1865; 
mustered out as 1st Sergt., June 22, 
1865. 

This Regiment was in thirteen en- 
agements. 

THE SECOND REGIMENT 

OF U. S.' SHARP SHOOTERS. 
THREE YEARS. 

Company H of this Regiment was 
mustered into the service, Dec. 31, 



1861, and mustered out, Dec. 31, 
1864. A portion of this company was 
from Bennington Count3^ The record 
of the otRcers from the County is as 
follows : 

GILBERT HART 

of Dorset, age 34, Capt., Co, H, .Dec. 
24, 1861; resigned, Aug. 13, 1862. 

WILLIAM NEWELL 

of Dorset, age 35, private, Co. H, 
Nov. 1, 1861; 1st Sergt, Dec. 31, 
1861 ;2d Lieut., Dec. 1, 1862; Capt. 
May 18, 1864. Homn-abl}' discharged, 
as 2d Lieut., Oct. 17, 1864, for wound 
received in action before Petersburgh, 
Va., June 21, 1864. 
This Regiment was in 24 engagements. 

FIRST BATTERY OF LIGHT 
ARTILLERY. — three years. 

This Battery, or at least a portion 
of it, was recruited at South Shaftsbu- 
ry ; was mustered into service, Feb. 
18, 1862, and mustered out, Aug. 10, 
1864. The record of its officers is as 
follows : 

GEORGE W. DUNCAN 

of Shaftsbury, age 45, Capt., Jan. 15, 
1826 ; resigned, Feb. 11, 1863. 

EDWARD RICE 

of Shaftsbury, age 23, 2d Lieut., Jan. 
15,1862; 1st Lieut., Feb. 13, 1863; 
mustered out, Aug. 10, 1864. 

THOMAS READE 

of Shaftsbury, age 21, private, Dec. 1, 
1861; Qt. M., Sergt., Feb. 18, 1862; 
2d Lieut., July 14, 1862: 1st. Lieut., 
Feb. 14, 1863; resigned, Dec. 14, 1863. 
This Battery was in 4 engagements. 

NINE MONTHS' MEN. 

A Brigade of Volunteers for nine 
months' service under the anthority of 
the United States was raised in Ver- 
mont in the fall of 1862, consisting of 



12 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Field Regiments, amounting in the 
whole to 4840 men, the regiments be- 
ing numbered the 12th, 13th, 14th, 
15th and 16th. These troops served 
in Virginia until Lee's invasion of 
Pennsylvania, when they were all 
marched to Gettysburgh where the 
13th, 14th and 16th took part in the 
battles of the 2d and 3d of July 1863. 
The other two regiments having been 
detached from Gen. Stannard's Brigade 
by Gen. Reynolds "to guard the Corps 
wagon-train in the rear." 

The Twelth Regiment, - 

nike months. 

This Regiment was raised in other 

parts of the State than in Bennington 

County; mustered into the service, 

Oct. 4, 1862, and out, July 14, 1863. 

It had but one officer from Benning- 
ton County, whose record is as follows : 

BENJAMIN F. KETCHUM 

of Manchester, age 28, Surgeon, Sept. 
19, 1862; mustered in, Oct. 4, 1862; 
mustered out, July 14, 1863. 

Fourteenth Regiment. 
nine months. 
Company A of this Regiment was 
recruited at Bennington, and Company 
C at Manchester. The Regiment was 
mustered into service, Oct 21, 1862, 
and musteied out, July 30, 1863. 

Roster of the Field, Staff and Com- 
pany Officers from Bennington Co. 

nathaniel b. hall 
of Bennington, age 36, Major, Sept. 
25, 1862; mustered out of service, 
July 30, 1863. 

HARRISON PRINDLE. 

of Manchester, age 23, Adjutant, Oct. 
8, 1862 ; mustered out, July 30, 1863. 

CHARLES FIELD 

of Dorset, age 36, Quartermaster, Oct. 
8, 1862; mustered out, July 30, 1863. 



ransom o. gore 



of Bennington, age 28, Capt. Co, A, 
Aug 27, 1862; mustered out, July 30, 
1863. 

JOSIAH B, MUNSON 

of Manchester, age 26, Capt., Co. C, 
Aug. 28, 1862; mustered out, July 30? 
1863. 

WILLIAM H. MUNN 

of Shaftsbury, age 24, 1st Lieut., Co. 
K, Sept. 18, 1862; Capt., Feb. 15, 
1863; mustered out, Jnly 30, 1863. 

EDWARD N. THAYER 

of Bennington, age 28, 1st Lieut., Aug. 
27, 1862; mustered out, July 30, 1863. 

NATHAN L, ANDREW 

of Arlington, age 33, 1st Lieut., Co. 
C, Aug. 20, 1862; mustered out of 

service, July 30, 1863. 

CHARLES ALBRO 

of Bennington, age 22, 2d Lieut., Co. 
A, Aug. 27, 1862; mustered out, July 
30, 1863. 

HENRY D. YOUNG 

of Manchester, age 25, 2d Lieut., Co. 
C, Aug. 28. 1862; mustered out, July 
30, 1863. 

LEWIS P. FULLER 

of Stamford, age 45, 2d Lieut., Co. K, 
Sept. 18, 1862; resigned, March 9, 
1863. 

This Regiment was in the battle of 
Gettysburgh, July 2d and 3d, 1863. 

The Sixteenth Regiment,- 
nine months. 

No part of this Regiment was re- 
cruited in Bennington County. It was 
mustered into service, Oct. 23, 1862, 
and out, Aug. 10, 1863. There was but 
one officer frgm the Connty, whose 
services were as follows : 



J 



BENNINGTON. 



13 



IRA W. THOMAS 

of Readsborough, age 22, 2d Lieut., 
Co. T, Sept., 20, 1862 ; resigned, Jan, 
13 1863. 

This Regiment was in the battle of 
Gettysburgh, July 2d and 3d, 1863. 

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. 

The 17th Regiment was the latest 
corps of troops that was raised in the 
State for the suppression of the rebel- 
lion, the men being mustered by com- 
panies during the first half of the year 
1864. Many of the officers and some 
of its men had served in the 9 months' 
regiments. The Regiment was mus- 
tered out, July 14, 1865. 

The Roster of Officers from Ben- 
iNNGTON County is as follows : 

GEORGE HICKS 

of Bennington, age 23, 2d Lieut., Co. 
F, Apr. 9 1864; Brevet Capt., July 6, 
1864, for gallant and meritorious ser- 
vice in charge near Shand's house, Va. ; 
killed in action, July 30, 1864. Cap- 
tain's commission dated Nov. 1 1864. 

CHARLES A. WATSON 

of Dorset, age 19, private, Co. E, 
Mar. 15, 1864;Sergt., Apr. 12, 1864; 
wounded, June 26, 1864; 2d Lieut. 
Jidy 10, 1865; mustered out as 1st 
Sergt., Co. E, July 14, 1865. 

This Regiment was in thirteen en- 
gagements, i 

Staff Officers at LrAge. 
The two officers named below though 
not reported by the Adjutant General, 
are believed to have served as follows : 

GEORGE D. HARRINGTON 

of Bennington, age — , entered the 
service as commissary of subsistence. 
May 3, 1862; promoted to rank of 
Major, Mar. 13, 1865, and on same 
date to Lieut., Col., July 24 1865; 



promoted to the rank of Colonel, - 
stationed most of the time at Camp 
Chase, Columbus, Ohio; discharged in 
the autumn of 1865. He died in Wash- 
ington City, Mar. 13, 1879. 

ALBERT "WALKER 

of Bennington, age 49, entered the 
service as Commissaryof subsistence, 
with rank of Captain, Nov. 18, 1862; 
resigned after the close of the war 
June 1865. 

NUMBER OF MEN FROM BENNINGTON 
0OUNTY. 

The following is a statement of the 
number of men furnished by each town 
of the Coimty in answer to calls for 
troops from April 1861 to Sept, 30, 
1865, and the United States enrollment 
of each town : 

Arlington, 126 enrolled: furnished 129- 

surplus 3. 
Bennington, 344 enrol'd : f urnish'd 358- 

surplus 14. 
Dorset, 121 enrolled: furnished 121. 
Glastenbuiy, enrolled 12 : furnished 12. 
Landgrove, 34 enrolled : furnished 34. 
Manchester, 150 enrol'd : furnish'd 156- 

surplus 6. 
Peru, 43 enrolled : furnished 42- 

deficient 1. 
Pownal, 109 enrolled : furnished 113- 

surplus 4. 
Readsboro, 75 enrolled: furnished 78- 

surplus 3. 
Rupert, 86 enrolled ; furnished 92- 
surplus 6 ; 

Saudgate, 57 enrolled : furnished 60 

surplus 3. 
Searsburg, 20 enrolled : furnished 20. 
Shaftsbury, 142 enrol'd: furnish'd 147- 

surplus 5. 
Stamford, 53 enrolled : furnished 53. 



14 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Sunderlancl, 5 1 enrolled: furnished 53. 

surplus 2 . 
Winhall, 73 enrolled : furnished 76- 

surplus 3. 
Woodford, 29 enrolled: furnished 30- 

surplus 1. 

Total: enrolled 1525, surplus 50, defi- 
cient 1, furnished 1574. 



THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON. 

August 16, 1777. 

BY EON NIL AND BALL. 

INTRODUCTORY 

In the following account of the 
Battle of Bennington, only the leading 
facts are attempted to be given, nu- 
merous interesting and exciting inci- 
dents being necessarily omitted. 

In order to have a just appreciation 
of the battle and its consequences, it 
is necessary to call to mind the condi- 
tion of country and of the State at 
the time of its occurrence. 

The campaign of 1776 inthe North 
ern department had been disastrous to 
the American arms. After sutFering 
severe losses our forces had been driven 
from Canada in great distress, and the 
enemy by the destruction of the Amer- 
ican flotilla had obtained full command 
of the waters of Lake Champlain. 
Great numbers of troops were arriv- 
ing at Quebec from Europe, and a 
fearful invasion was expected at the 
opening of the lake in the spring. To 
meet such an invasion extensive works 
had been erected at Ticonderoga, on 
which great reliance was placed. But 
they were defective in arrangement, 
and but partially manned, and on the 
approach of Gen. Burgoyne with a 
powerful army, Gen. St. Clair found 
they would be wholly untenable, and 



felt compelled to abandon them. The 
rear guard of his retreating army, un- 
der the command of Col. Seth Warner, 
was overtaken the next day, July 7, 
1777, at Hubbardtou, by alarge body 
of the enemy, and after a brave resist- 
ance, during which many were killed 
and wounded on both sides, was over- 
powered by numbers and obliged to 
give way. The greater poi'tion of 
St. Clair's force succeeded in forming 
a junction with Gen. Schuyler at Fort 
Edward, while the remnant of Colonel 
Warner's regiment, about 140 strong, 
took post at Manchester. 

Burgoyne's army, numbering about 
9,000 men was equipped and furnished 
with every war-like material that 
wealth and skill could supply, and con- 
sisted mostl}' of British and German 
veterans, with bodies of Canadians and 
tories, and a formidable horde of Indi- 
ans. Its commander expected to make 
a triumphant march to Albany, there 
to be met by an army from New York, 
and thus by obtaining the control of the 
Hudson River, and cutiiug off New 
England from the other states, to com- 
plete the conquest of the countr}' for 
the King. He had already issued a 
flaming proclamation, threatening de- - 
struction to the lives and property of 
all who slioald oppose him, but prom- 
ising protection and security to those 
who should give him their adhesion, 
and offering payment "in solid coin" 
for all provisions that should be brought 
to his camp. On the 10th of July, 
having reached Skenesbough, (White- 
hall) he issued another proclamation in 
which he directed "the inhabitants of 
Castleton, Hubbardton, Rutland, Tin- 
mouth, Pawlet, Wells and Granville, 
with the neighboring districts ; also the 
districts bordering on White Creek, 
(Salem) Camden, Cambridge, &c.," to 



BENNINGTON. 



15 



send ten persons or more from each 
township to meet Col. Skeene at Cas- 
tleton on the 15th, who would commu- 
uicate conditions upon which the per- 
sons and properties of the disobedient 
might 3^et be spared." The proclama- 
tion concluded with the following bar- 
barous threat : "This fail not under the 
pain of military execution." 

To a large portion of the frontier in- 
habitants, Burgoyne's army appeared 
irresistable. If he should let loose his 
horde of savages upon them which in his 
first proclamation he said amounted to 
thousands, there would seem to be no 
escape for them. Great numbers from 
those towns, and some from towns still 
further to the south, repaired to Col. 
Skene and taking the oath of allegiance 
to the Crown, some from choice and 
some from supposed necessity, received 
written protections for their security. 
Of these many took up arms against 
their country and joined the invading 
army. But the more patriotic portion 
of the inhabitants scorning submission 
to the invaders, abandoned their homes 
to the mercy of the enemy, and taking 
with them such of their effects as they 
were able to transport fled to the south, 
some stopping in Bennington, but most 
of them going on to their friends in 
Berkhire Co. and Connecticut. Berk- 
shire county in the language of a cou- 
semporary, 'was burdened with these fu- 
gitives.' Nearly all of the territory be- 
tween Bennington and the route of 
Burgoyne towards the Hudson and Al- 
bany was thus made in effect an ene- 
my's country, and Beunington became 
a frontier town. 

Prior to the Revolution the territory 
of Vermont was known by the name 
of The New Hampshire Grants, over 
which the Sfovernment of New York 



claimed jurisdiction and also the title 
of its lands. This claim was disputed by 
its inhabitants, who after a long and 
severe controversy, had by a conven- 
tion of the deligates held at "Westmin- 
ster on the 17th of January, 1777, de- 
clared the territory an independent 
State. At the time of the evacuation 
of Ticonderoga b}' St. Clair a subse- 
quent convention of the new State was 
in session at Windsor, engaged in the 
work of framing its new constitution 
of government ; and the abandonment 
of that post left the families of many 
of its members in immediate peril. At 
the news of this alarming event the 
constitution was somewhat hurriedlj' 
adopted, and having appointed a Coun- 
cil of Safety to manage the affairs of 
the State until the regular government 
could be put in operation, the cimven- 
tion adjourned. 

The Council of Safety thus constituted 
met first at Mancheser, but soon ad- 
journed to Bennington, where it con- 
tinued in permanent session through- 
out the year, adopting and carrying in- 
to effect the most energetic measures 
for protecting the State against its for- 
eign, as well as its domestic enemies. 
Pressing messages having been sent to 
New Hampshire and Massachusetts for 
aid, such of the militia as could be gath- 
ered were called out to strengthen the 
force of Col. Warner at Manchester, 
where an attack was apprehended. A 
permanent force to patrol the frontiers 
and to guard against any covert out- 
break of the tories in their midst, was 
indispensable; and to provide means 
for maintaining such a force and to meet 
their other expenses in defending the 
State, the Council ordered the property 
of those of their inhabitants that had 
joined the enemy to be sequestered 



16 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and sold. A proper fund being thus 
secured, a regiment of Rangers was 
organized under the command of Col. 
Samuel Herrick, which did valuable 
service to the State and country. 

New Hampshire responded nobly to- 
the call of the Vermont Council, The 
Assembly at once ordered a large por- 
tion of their militia to be organized 
into a brigade and placed under the 
command of General John Stark. He 
had served with credit and honor in 
the previous French war and as Colo- 
nel at Bunker Hill, and in Canada, 
and under "Washington at Trenton, 
and Princeton, but Congress had pro- 
moted junior officers over him, and he 
had resigned his commission and re- 
tired from the service, though he re- 
tained the same patriotic ardor as be- 
fore. He was reluctant to be placed un- 
der officers he had < mtranked and there 
was also at the time a very general dis- 
trust in New England of Gen. Schuyler 
who was in command of the Northern 
department ; for which reasons General 
Stark's written instructions were of a 
discretionary character. He was di- 
rected "to repair to Charleston, No. 4 
and when the troops were collected 
there "to take the command of them 
and march into the State of Vermont, 
and there act in conjunction Avith the 
troops of that State, or any other 
of the States, or of the United States, 
or seperatly, as it should appear expe- 
dient to him, for the protection of the 
people or the annoyance of the enemy." 

Crossing the Green Mountain from 
Charleston with the greater part of his 
command. Stark reached Manchester 
on the 7th of August, where he met 
Gen. Lincoln, who had been sent from 
Stillwater by Gen. Schuyler to con- 
duct his militia to the west bank of 



the Hudson. Stark communicated his 
instructions and declined obedience on 
the ground of the dangerous condition 
in Avhich it would leave the people of 
Vermont, and because he believed Bur- 
goyne would be more embarassed in his 
opertions by his remaining on his left, 
than by his joining the army in front. 
But for this refusal of Stark, which 
was founded on the sovujde.st military 
view of the state of affairs, Bennington 
would have been in a measure defence- 
less, and would, doubtless, have fallen 
a prey to the enemy. 

At Manchester, Stark found that a 
considerably large body of the enemy 
which for some time had been at Cas- 
tleton, threatening Manchester and to 
cross over to Connecticut River, had 
marched to the Hudson. He, with his 
force, passed on to Bennington, where 
he arrived on the 9th. He was accom- 
panied by Col. "Warner, whose conti- 
nental regiment was left at Manchester 
under the command of Lieut. Colonel 
Samuel Safford. At Bennington, Gen. 
Stark encamped for a few days, col- 
lecting information in regard to the 
position and the designs of the enemy, 
and consulting with the Council of 
Safety, and with Col. "Warner relative 
to future operations . 

The progress of Burgoyne towards 
Albany had been so retarded by the 
natural dfficulties of the route, and the 
obstructions thrown in his way by the 
Americans, that it was nearly a month 
after his departure from Ticonderoga 
before he reached the Hudson River. 
Here he found himself so deficient in 
provisions, and also in cattle and car- 
riages for transportation that he was 
mnch embarrassed about the means for 
advancing farther. Learning that the 
articles he most needed had been col- 



BENNINGTON. 



17 



lected at Benuington as a convenient 
depot to snpply the American forces, 
he resolved to seize them for the use of 
his own army. 

For this service Lieut. Col. Baume 
■was selected. Bargoyne in his letter to 
the English Ministry states the force 
under his command to have consisted 
of 200 dismounted dragoons, "Captain 
Frazer's marksmen, (called, also, Ran- 
gers) which were the only British, all 
the Canadian vlounteers, a party of 
Provincials, (Col. Peter's corps of to- 
nes,) 100 Indians and two light pieces 
of cannon, the whole detachment a- 
mounting to about 500 men." There 
is no doubt this number is too small by 
several hundred. The German official 
accounts give the number of the troops 
of Baume at 374 instead of 200 ; and 
of the British, Canadians and Tories, 
the prisoners taken in the action, a- 
mounted to 230, as will be seen here- 
after, which would swell Baume's force 
to over 600, without rckoning those 
who were killed in battle and the man}' 
who escaped b}' flight. There can be 
little doubt that the number of men 
brought into action by Baume exceed- 
ed 700, besides his 100 Indians. Col. 
Skene, at the request of Burgoyne, 
had accompanied the expedition that 
the German Commander might have 
the benifit of his better knowlege of 
the country and of his supposed in- 
fluence with its people. 

PREPARING FOR THE BATTLE. 

Baume set off with his force on the 
13th of August, and arrived the same 
day at Cambridge, 16 miles from Ben- 
nington. Early the next morning, he 
reached Sancoick, a small settlement 
near the mouth of the White Creek 
branch of the Walloomsac river, about 
half a mile below the present village of 



North Hoosick. Here he found a party 
of Americans in possession of a mill 
which they abandond on his approach, 
and in the mill, on the head of a barrel, 
he wrote Burgoyne an account of his 
progress, informing him that "by five 
prisoners taken here they agree that 
1500 to 1800 men are at Bennington, 
hut are supposed to leave at our ap- 
proach." 

They did leave on his approach, but 
not in the direction he had anticipated. 
The old mill at ^ ancoick is still stand- 
ing and in use by John Burke, the 
present owner, and is about 8 miles 
from Bennington. 

Gen. Stark on the 13th had receiv- 
ed information from scouts that a par- 
ty of Indians were at Cambridge, and 
he sent Lieut Col. Gregg of his brig- 
ade with 200 men to stop their prog- 
ress, but during the night, he was ad- 
vised that a large body of troops with 
artillery were in the rear of the Indi- 
ans and that they were advancing to- 
wards Bennington. He immediately 
sent to Manchester for Col. Warner's 
continental regiment, and also for the 
neighboring militia to rally to his 
support. 

On the morning of the 1 4th he assem- 
bled his brigade, and in company with 
Cols. Warner, Williams, Herrick and 
Brush went out to meet the enemy. He 
had marched about five miles when he 
met Gregg on his retreat from San- 
coick and the enemy in close pursuit. 
Stark drew up his men in order of 
battle, but Baume halted in a com- 
manding position, and the ground occu- 
pied by Stark, being unfavorable for a 
general attack, he fell back about a 
mile and encamped. His encampment 
was in the north-west part of Benn- 
ington, on the farm formerly owned 



18 



BENNINGTON. 



by Paul M. Henry, on the Hill, upon 
which a dwelling has lately been erected 
by Lewis Northonse, the present pro- 
prietor. 

Tlie Walloomsac river is a branch of 
the Hoosick, fordable in most places, 
liaving in general a westerly course, 
but which after passing Stark's en- 
campment runs in a northern direction 
for half a mile, then westerl}' for a mile 
and a half, where it turns suddenly to 
the south and pursues that course for 
three-quarters of aiuile or more. Here 
on the Avest side of the river, Baume 
halted and made his arrangements for 
defense. On tlie top of a thickly wood- 
ed hill which rises abruptly three or 
four hundred feet from the west bank 
of the stream, he posted the greater 
part of his Germans under liis own 
immediate command. This position 
was west of the sudden bend in the 
stream, and Baume's front to the east 
was well secured against an attack by 
the precipitous ascent of the hill on 
that side, which impracticable ascent 
extended from his camp for half a mile 
along the bank of the river to the bridge 
at the southern foot of the hill, over 
which the road from Bennington to 
Sancoick, and Cambi idge passed. On 
the top of this hill Baume prepared en- 
trenchments of earth and logs to resist 
attacks from the west and on his flanks. 

For the defense of the important 
pass at the bridge, Baume caused a 
strong breast-work to be thrown up on 
the high bank of the river, on which 
was mounted one of his cannon, in 
charge of a body of German Grena- 
diers. Two small breast works were 
also erected on opposite sides of the 
road, near the west end of the bridge 
which were manned by Frazer's marks- 
men ; and the position was still further 



strengthened by posting all the Cana- 
dians in log huts which were standing 
near the bridge on both sides of the 
river. This point is where the river is 
now crossed by the covered railroad 
bridge, about three miles from North 
Bennington on the route to Troy. 

Baume on his way from the Hudson, 
and at his encampment had been joined 
b}" a considerable number of tories, 
many of them under the lead of Col. 
Francis Pfister, a half pay British officer 
of wealth and extensive influence who 
occupied an imposing residence erected 
by him on the west bank of the Hoo- 
sick, near what is now known as Hoo- 
sick Corners. These with most of 
Peter's corps of loyalists Avere posted 
on a hill east of ihe stream 40 or 50 
rods to the south-east of the bridge. 

Here, strong works of defense were 
erected, known as the "Tory Breast- 
work," and of Avhich Col. Pfister is 
understood to have been placed i[i 
command. On its right was a sharp 
ravine and both flanks would have the 
protection of ball and grape from the 
cannon at the bridge. The other 
cannon in charge of Gei-man grena- 
diers, supported by some tories, ap- 
pears to have been placed further to 
the Avest in a cleared field, near the 
road. It was on a hillside which OA^er- 
looked and commanded the approaches 
to the bridge and to the tory encamp, 
meat, and also to the south flank of 
Baume's encampment. It may have 
been moved nearer to Baume's position 
during the engagement. (The several 
positions of Baume's forces are shown 
by the plan in Burgoj'ne's account of 
his expedition, of Avhich a copy on a re- 
duced scale isgiA'en in the "Memorials 
of a Century by the Rev. Isaac Jen- 
nings, and another still smaller is found 



BENNINGTON. 



19 



in Lossing's Field Book of the Revolu- 
lution. The top of the map is west and 
upon it the tories are designated as 
'•American Vohuiteers," the British 
marksmen as "Rangers," the Ameri- 
cans as ,, Bodies of the enemy." All 
others except the "Canadians," are 
Germans, the ' 'Chasseures" being Ger- 
man marksmen. On Burgoyne's map 
the Walloomsac is called the Hoosick.) 
The encampments of the two hostile 
bodies, though little more than two 
miles apart Avere entirely hidden from 
the sight of each other by a heavily 
wooded, intervening hill. 

The force under General Stark was 
composed of the greater part of his 
brigade of New Hampshire militia, a 
small number of Vermont militia from 
the east side of the mountain, under 
Col. William Williams, Avho had been 
stationed at Manchester, Col. Herrick's 
corps of Rangers then forming, the 
State militia from Bennington and its 
vicinity under Col. Nathaniel Brush, 
and on the morning of the 16th Stark 
was joined by Col. Simonds and some 
militia from Berkshire County (Mass.) 
His whole force might perhaps have 
numbered about 1600. 

On the night of the 14th after ascer- 
taining the position of the enem}', 
Staik called a council, consisting of 
the leading members of the Council of 
Safety as well as of Cols. Warner and 
Herrick and other military officers, in 
whifh a plan for attacking the enemy 
was discussed and adopted, and it was 
agreed that the attack should be made 
the next morning. But the 15th was so 
excessively rainy as to prevent any at- 
tempt at a general action. Scouts were 
however sent out some of which were 
engaged in suf^cessful skirmishes. 



THK BATTLE 

The morning of the 16th was bright 
and clear and Stark prepared for the at- 
tack in accordance with the lAan pre- 
viously agreed upon. Col. Nichols 
with 200 of the New Hampshire 
troops, to which a reinforcement of 
100 was afterward added, was detach- 
ed to make a wide circuit to the north 
of Baume's post, and come round up- 
on the rear of his left, and Col, Her- 
rick with 300 men, composed of his 
Rangers and Col. Brush's militia, was 
to make a like wide southern circuit to 
the rear of his right, the two parties 
to meet and make a joint attack upon 
his entrenchments. Cols. Hubbard and 
Stickney with 300 men of Stark's brig- 
ade, were ordered to the enemy's ex- 
treme right. While these three detach- 
ments were gaining their assigned posi- 
tions, the enemy was amused by a 
threatened attack on his front. 

About thi'ee o'clock in the afternoon 
firing was commenced by the party un- 
der Nichol's which was the signal for 
a general assault. It Avas immediately 
followed by the detachment under 
Herrick, and by that of Hubbard and 
Stickney, while Stark, himself with 
his reserve of New Hampshire men 
and the Berkshire and some Vermont 
miltia, in the face of the enemy's can- 
non, assailed the Tory breast- work and 
the pass at the bridge in front. The en- 
gagement thus became general and "las- 
ted" says Stark in his report t(> Gates, 
"two hours, and was the hottest, I ev- 
er saw — it represented one continued 
clap of thunder." The Indians alarm- 
ed at the prospect of being enclosed 
between the parties of Nichols and Her- 
rick, fled at the beginning of the fight, 
but Baume with his Germans and all 
others under his command, having the 



20 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



advantage of their position behind en- 
trenchments, which the rain of the 
15th had given them ample time to e- 
rect and make strong, fought with 
gi'eat resolution and bravery, but they 
were overpowered by their militia as- 
sailants and either fled or surrendered 
prisoners of war. 

The battle being ended and the pris- 
oners sent off to Bennington under a 
proper guard, the militia dispersed to 
look over the field and collect plunder, 
but very soon intelligence was brought 
that a large, additional force from the 
British army was approaching, and 
within the distance of two miles. This 
body of men was under the command 
of Col. Breyman and consisted, be- 
sides 22 officers of 620 rank and file, 
all Germans, with two pieces of can- 
non, which Burgoyne on hearing that 
the force " at Bennington was greater 
than had been expected, had dispatch- 
ed to reinforce Banme. The rain of the 
preceding day and the heaviness of 
the roads had delayed Breyman's arri- 
val until the victory over the men he 
had been sent to aid had been accom- 
plished. The victors were however in 
great confusion, and it appeared diffi- 
cult to stop the progress of the new 
enemy. Happily at this juncture, AVar- 
ner's regiment of about 140 men which 
had been delayed by the rain, in its 
march from Manchester, came up 
fresh under Lieut. Col. Saflfbrd and 
took its position in front, serving as a 
rallying point for the scattered militia. 
Breyman advanced with his two brass 
field pieces up the road with wings of 
infantry on each side of it, occasionly 
firing his cannon to clear the way, the 
Americans slowly retiring before him. 
When a considerable body of the mili- 
tia had been collected a stand was made 



(about 40 or 50 rods east of the pres- 
ent Walloomsac depot) and Breyman's 
force brought to a halt. Here he was 
attacked in front and flanks, a most 
deadly fire being poured into his ranks 
from a wooded hill on his left. The 
action was very severe and continued 
till after sunset, when many of Brey- 
man's men being killed and wounded 
and his artillery horses shot down, he 
abandoned his cannon and fled. Gen. 
Stark pursued his flying forces till the 
approaching darkness rendered it nec- 
essary to draw oflT his men to prevent 
their firing upon each other. "With 
one hour more of daylight," says Stark 
in his official report, "we should have 
captured the whole body." 

EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE. 

Among the trophies of this day's 
victories, were four brass field pieces, 
twelve brass drums, 250 sabres, four 
ammunition wagons, several hundred 
stand of arms, and 658 prisoners, and 
207 were left dead on the field. The 
whole loss of the enemy could not have 
been much less than 900 men. Some 
of the contemporaneous accounts make 
the number still larger. Of the prison- 
ers, 30 of them were officers, 37 Brit- 
ish soldiers, 398 Hessians, 38 Canadi- 
ans, and 155tories. Col. Baume was 
mortally wounded and taken prisoner 
as was also Col. Pfister, the comman- 
der of the tory entretichmeut. Both 
were taken about a mile to a house in 
the town of Shaftsbury, which a few 
years ago was still standing opposite 
the present paper-mill of Charles E. 
Welling, known as 'the Baume house,' 
in whicli they both died within a day 
or two afterwards. 

The loss of the Americans in both 
engagements was about 30 killed and 
40 wounded. 



BENNINGTON. 



21 



This victory, in Avhich undisciplined 
husbandmen with their hunting guns 
without bayonets, bravely stormed en- 
ti'enchments manned by legular troops 
and defended by cannon , is justly styl- 
ed by Baiicroft as "one of the most bril- 
iant and eventful of the war." The 
loss of the enemy in men and material 
was severely felt. But the consequences 
were otherwise still more important. - 
By inspiring confidence on the one side, 
and depressing the spirits of the other, 
the current of succeses was at once 
turned from the British to the Amer- 
ican arms. 

The fate of Burgoyne and his army 
was in effect sealed at Bennington, and 
his final capture well assured. General 
Washington, on being informed of the 
event, considered it as deciding the fate 
of Burgoyne, and dismissed all anxie- 
ty about his invasion. Its effect upon 
the enemy was most disheartening. — 
Madame Riedesel, Avife of the com- 
manding general of the German troops 
who accompanied her husband through 
the campaign, says in her memoirs, thai 
by Baume's failure "the army was pre- 
vented from advancing, while the ene- 
my, recovering suddenly from deprss- 
ion, increased their numbers daily. "'- 
Burgoyne, himself, though he struggled 
on for a few weeks longer, was ev- 
idently disheartened. Four days after 
Baume's defeat, after preparing a dis 
spatch to the British minister for the 
public ear, he wrote him another letter 
marked Private, dated "Camp near Sar- 
atoga, Aug. 20. 1777," in which he gave 
quite a gloomy account of his affairs, 
treating the failure of the expedition 
to Bennington as his great misfortune, 
in which he says of it, that, "Had I 
succeeded, I should have formed a 
junction with St. Leger and been now 
before Albany." After speaking dis- 



paragingly of the tories, he says : 
"The great bulk of the country is uu- 
doubtedl}^ with the Congress," and of 
the Vermonters, he bitterly adds, "the 
Hampshire Grants in particular, a coun- 
try impeopled and almost luiknown in 
the last war, now abounds in the most 
active and most rebellious race on the 
continent, and hangs like a gathering 
storm on my left." 

To General Stark should be assign- 
ed the highest meed of praise for the 
victory ; but he was nobly aided by the 
skill and valor of both his officers and 
men. and they are all with him entitled 
to the lasting gratitude of their country. 
Of his officers, Col. Warner is undoubt- 
edly entitled to special credit. Warner 
was a colonel in the Continental army, 
had acquired a high reputation as a mil- 
itary leader, by his services in Canada 
and at Hubbardton, and he had long 
been a resident of Bennington and was 
familiarly acquainted with the ground 
occupied by the posts of the enemy 
and their approaches- He was Stark's 
chief adviser in planning the attack on 
the enemy, he went into the action by 
his side and was his active associate in 
the first engagement, as well as in repel- 
ling the attack of Breyman's reinforce- 
ment. Dr. Thachor in his contempo- 
rary Military Journal says "Stark as- 
sisted by Warner matured his plans 
for the battle." and Stark, himself in 
his letter to Gates after speaking in 
the highest texjaxs of the daring brave- 
ry of the officers and soldiers under his 
command says, "Col. Warner's superi- 
or skill in the action was of extraord- 
inary service to me." Gordon also in 
his history speaks highly of the services 
of Col. Warner and those of Col. Her- 
rick of the Verniont Rangers. Other 
officers and men deserve notice for 
their meritorious exertions in gaining 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



n 

the victory, but the space allowed for 
this article Avill not permit it. There 
are also numerous interesting incidents 
connected with the battle that must 
for the like reason be omitted. It has 
been only possable to give the leading 
facts. 

General Stark from his arrival at 
Manchester acted in concert with the 
Vermont Council of Safety and receiv- 
ed their earnest countenance and sup- 
port in all his movements which were- 
duly appreciated by him as is shown by 
a publication in the Connecticut "Cou- 
rant'' over his own signature in which 
he passed on the Council a high eulo- 
gium for their patriotic exertions and 
services. 

When the Congress at Philadephia 
was informed of Gen. Stark's declin- 
ing to move his force from Manches- 
ter to the west side of the Hudson, as 
before mentioned, a resolve was passed 
disapproving of it. But after the wis- 
dom of his conduct in that respect had 
been demonstrated by his victory and 
its fortunate effect on the campaign, 
they came tardily to the determination 
to do him full justice by approving his 
patriotic services and restoring him to 
his merited rank in the arm}'. 

On the 4th day of October, 1777, 
Congress unanimously passed the fol- 
lowing resolution: 

"Resolved: That the thanks of 
Congress be presented to Gen. Stark 
of The New Hampshire Militia, and 
the Officers and troops under his com- 
mand, for their brave and successful 
attack upon, and signal victory over 
the Enemy in their lines at Bennington; 
and that Brigadier Stark be appoint- 
ed Brigadier General in the Army of 
the United States 
Two weeks after the passage of this 



resolution by Congress, on the 17th 
of October, the event, which Stark's 
Victory at Bennington had clearly 
foreshadowed, and made certain, — 
was accomplished b}" the surrender of 
Burgoyne and his army as prisoners 
of war, to the Amei'ican forces at 
Saratoga. 

THE 
OLD CATAMOUNT TAVERN 

AT BENNINGTON, VT. 

On the 30th of March 1871, the old 
"Catamount Tavern" House,- which 
had long been the most notable relic 
of early times in the Centre Village of 
Bennington, Vermont, was burnt to the 
ground. It had been unoccupied for a 
short time and the origin of the fire is 
unknown. The house which was in a 
tolerable state of preservation, had 
been built over a hundred years ; hav- 
ing been erected by Captain Stephen 
Fay, a year or two prior to 1770. It 
was a wooden building, about 44 feet by 
34, two stories high, having two high 
chimneys with high fire-places in each 
story, besides which, there was a very 
large fire-place in the cellar or base- 
ment, part of which was used as a 
wash-room, and cook-room as occasion 
required. 

The two chimne}' s are now standing, 
(Autumn of 1871) exhibiting their spa- 
cious fire-places with heavy, iron cranes 
in those of the lower stoi-y and base- 
ment. On the marble mantle of one 
of the fire-places the words "council 
KOOM," appear, cut there in early 
times. 

On the top of the high sign-post be- 
fore the front door, was placed the 
stuffed skin of a catamount, from which 
came the name of the house, though 
in early days, it was in accordance 
with the custom of the time more gen- 




(CATAMOUNT TAVERN 



AT BEXNINGTON, VT. 

On the top of the high sign-post before the front door, 
was pluced the stuffed skin of a catamount from which 
came the name of the house, though in early days, it 
was in accordance with the custom of the time, more 
generally called Landlord Fay's. P'^ge 22. 

The tall sign-post was 25 feet f j om the ground ; 
the catamount on the top, stood "with large teeth 
grinning towards New York. — page 25. 



BENNINGTON. 



25 



erally spoken of as "Landlord Fay's.' 
During the period of the early set- 
tlement of the State, the honse was a 
great resort for travelers and emigrants, 
and it was also widely known as the 
Head Quarters of the settlers in their 
contest with the New York land claim- 
ants. It was the home of Ethan Allen 
for several years from 1770, when he 
first came to the "New Hampshire 
Grants," as Vermont was then called. 

The settlers held their lands under 
grants from New Hampshire, to which 
the territory was supposed to belong; 
but in 1764, the King, by an order in 
Council placed them under the juris- 
diction of New York. Whereupon the 
Govenor of that Province declared 
their titles to be void, and regranted 
their lands to speculators, who recov- 
ered judgement in the New York 
courts against the settlers, and sent 
their sheriffs and posses to execute them, 
who were resisted by the occupants and 
forcibly prevented from obtaining pos- 
session. This controversy raged for 
years, and the settlers appointed com- 
mittees of safety before whom offend- 
ers against the integrity of their titles, 
styled "Yorkers," were brought for 
trial. On conviction they were vari- 
ously punished, sometimes by banish- 
ment from the territory, and sometimes 
by whipping on the naked back, a mode 
of punishment for crime then in com- 
mon use throughout the country. The 
latter punishmen in allusion to the great 
seal of the Govenor of New Hampshire, 
affixed to their charter titles, and to the 
instnmient with which it was common- 
ly inflicted, the settlers humorously 
called ''the application of the beach 
seal." 

Another mode of punishmet was 
devised for one offender, residing with- 



in their own limits : One Dr. Samuel 
Adams of Arlington, who had held his 
lands under a New Hampshire charter, 
suddenly became an open advocate of 
the New York title, advising his neigh- 
bors to purchase it. This tended to 
weaken the opposition to New York by 
producing division among the settlers, 
and he was repeatedly an arned to de- 
sist from such discourse, but he persist- 
ed in his offensive language, and arm- 
ing himself with pistols and other 
weapons threatened death to any one 
who should molest him. What follow- 
ed is related in the language of a con- 
temporary : The Doctor was soon ta- 
ken by surprise and carried (15 miles) 
to the Green Mountain (Landlord 
Fay's ) tavern, tit Bennington, where 
the committee heard his defense, and 
then ordered him to be tied in an arm- 
chair and hoisted up to the sign- 
(a catamount skin stuffed, sitting upon 
the sign-post, 25 feet from the ground, 
with large teeth, looking and grinning 
toward New York) and there to hang 
two hours in sight of the people, as a 
punishment merited by his enmity to 
the rights and liberty of the inhabitants 
of the New Hampshire Grants. The 
judgement was executed to the no small 
merriment of a large concourse of the 
people. 

The Doctor was let down and dis- 
missed by the committee with an ad- 
monition to go and sin no more. The 
mild and exemplary disgrace had a sal- 
utary effect on the Doctor and many 
others." Dr. Adams, on Burgoyne's 
invasion, became a violent tory and 
fled to Canada, from which he never 
returned. 

When Sir Wm. Trj'on, Govenor of 
New York in 1771, issued a procla- 
mation offering a reward of £ 20 each 
for the apprehension of Ethan Allen, 



26 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Remember Baker, and Robert Cochran 
for their riotous opposition to the New 
York government, they retaliated by 
publishing over their names a counter 
proclamation offering a reward of £15 
for James Duane and <;^10 for John 
Kemp, their two leading land-claiming 
antagonists, styling them "those com- 
mon disturbers of the public peace," 
the rewards so made paj^able on their 
being brought to "Landlord Fay's at 
Bennington. 

The following is a copy of the proc- 
lamaiion: 

^^ £ 25 Reward ! 
Whereas James Duane and John 
Kemp of New York, have by their 
menaces and threats greatly disturbed 
the public peace and repose of the hon- 
est peasants of Bennington, and the 
settlements to the northward, which 
peasants are now and ever have been 
in the peace of God and the King, and 
patriotic and liege subjects of George 
III. Any person that will apprehend 
those common disturbers, viz: James 
Duane, and John Kemp, and bring 
them to Landlord Fay's at Bennington, 
shall have £15 reward for James 
Duane and £ 10 for John Kemp, paid 
by Ethan Allen, 

Remember Baker, 
Robert Cochran. 
Dated Poultney, 
Feb'y 5, 1772. 

Colonel Ethan Allen was sojourning 
at the "Catamount Tavern" in the 
spring of 1775 and from the "Council 
Room" of that house went forth his 
order of May 3d, for mustering the 
Green Mountain Boys for the capture 
of Ticonderoga, which was effected 
seven days afterwards "in the name of 
the great Jehovah and the Continental 
Congress." 



In this noted tavern house, sat the 
Vermont Council of Safery during the 
trying campaign of 1777, guiding and 
directing the patriotic exertioQS of the 
Green Mountain Boys to stem the tor- 
rent of Burgoyne's invasion ; and here " 
also. Stark and Warner, with the aid 
of the Council, planned the famous 
attack on Baume's entrenchments, 
where was won the brilliant victoiy of 
Bennington, which turned the current 
of success from the British to the 
American arms and was followed in a 
few weeks [ as told in the preceding 
pages,] bj^ the capture of Burgoyne 
and his arm}^ at Saratoga. 

Captain Fay, the proprietor of the 
house had five sous in the battle of 
Bennington, one of Avhom was killed. 
On being told that one of his sons had 
fallen in the light, the venerable patri- 
ot through his deep grirf "thanked God 
that he had a son that was willing to 
die for his country." 

Here in 1778 was tried and condemn- 
ed one David Redding, a traitor and 
spy ; and in a field in front of the house 
a gallows had been erected and a gi-eat 
crowd had assembled to see him exe- 
cuted. But on the morning fixed for 
the execution, the Goveilor and Coun- 
cil granted him a reprieve for one 
week, for the reason that he had been 
tried by a jury of six, while by the 
common law there ought to have been 
twelve. The multitude, who had as 
well as the six jurors condemned the 
traitor, were clamorous at their disa- 
pointment, and violence was seriousl}' 
apprehended, whereupon Col. Ethan 
Allen, who had just returned from his 
long English captivity mounted a stump 
and waving his hat and exclaiming: 
"•Attention, the whole ! — proceeded to 
announce the reasons v/hich produced 
the reprieve ; advised the multitude to 




THE COUNCIL KOOM HEARTH 

OF THE 

Old Catamount Tavern. 

At this fireside, sat, Ethan Allen, the night before he 
sent forth his summons for the Green Mountain Boys 
to muster for the capture of Tieonderoga. page 26. 



BENNINGTON. 



29 



depart peaceably to their habitations, 
and to return on the daj' fixed by the 
Goveuor and Council, adding with an 
oath, "You shall see somebody hung 
at all events, for if Redding is not then 
hung, I will be hung myself !" Upon 
which the uproar ceased and the crowd 
dispersed. Redding being again tried 
and convicted by a jury of twelve was 
hung on the day to which his reprieve 
had been granted, in accordance with 
Allen's prediction. 

The children of Captain Fay were 
numerous and respectable, and several 
of them have been prominent in the 
affairs of the State of Vermont. He 
died in 1781, and the house, not many 
years afterwards became a private dwel- 
ling for two of his sons, in succession, 
then for a grandson, and then finally for 
a great- grandson, John Fay, Esq, 
who died Feb. 25, 1856. 

HILAND HALL. 



BENNINGTON— HISTORICAL. 
Annals of Post-Office, Court-House 
AND Village Strifes in the Town of 
Bennington from 1784 to 1884. 

The old Village of Bennington, like 
many others in New England was built 
on high gi'ound. The north and south 
road through the State passed over it, 
which in few years became a thorough 
fare for much travel between Connect- 
icut and western Massachusetts and the 
new lands to the northward. The sum- 
mit of the hill at the north end of the 
village was 100 feet higher than the 
more level land at the other end. Its 
two extremities were about three quar- 
ters of a mUe apart and were hidden 
from each other bj^ the southern brow 
of the upper hill, from which there 
was a steep descent to a slight valley 



before reaching the other end of the 
village. That this village had two ecds 
should be b<.»rne in mind, as many of 
the occurrences to be mentioned here- 
after will be found to hinge in some de- 
gi'ee on that fact. Tliese two ends or 
parts were in common language dis- 
tinguished from each other as the "Up- 
hill" and "Down-hill." 

The road from Albany, leading to 
and acix)ss the Green Mountain ran 
through the lower port of the village, 
but wasveiy little used until sometime 
in the present centur}' when it gi'adual- 
ly became a through route from Albany 
to Boston and other places east of the 
mountains on which road, as well as 
that to the northward, well patronized 
stages were run. 

the meeting-house 
was built in the lower part of the vil- 
lage, about 17G5, and in 1780, an 
academy building, called 
CLIO hall 
was erected on the present site of the 
meeting-house, in which a successful 
high school was kept until it wa-s burnt 
in 1803. 

In 1781, when a building for 
court-house and jail 
was requu'ed, it had been erected on 
the summit of the hill near the present 
residence of A. M. Huling. 

In 1783, Anthony Haswell came 
from Massachusetts and began the pub- 
lication of the 

VERMONT gazette 

on the Upper-hill, and for many years 
it was the only newspaper printed in 
the State on the west side of the mount- 
ain. Its publication was continued 
weekl}', with brief inteiTuptions, nearly 
all the time b}' Mr. Haswell or some of 
his descendants until about 1850 when 



30 



THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



it was discontinued. For a few months 
in 1797, the paper took the name of 
the "Tablet of the Times," in 1806, 
that of the "Epitome of the World," 
and afterwards from 1808 to 1816, that 
of the "Green Mountain Farmer," 
when it resumed its first name, under 
which it Avas continued until it ceased 
to exist, as before stated. 

From 1777 to 1791, Vermont exer 
cised full authority in its civil aflairs 
as an independent vState, being unac- 
knowledged, both by the other states 
and the Continental Congress, In 1784, 
its Legislature passed an act establish- 
ing 

FIVE POST-OFFICES IN THE STATE, 

viz : at Bennington, Rutland, Brattle- 
boro, Windsor aad Newbury, allowing 
post-riders three pence per mile for 
travel between Bennington and Brattle- 
boro and two pence on the other routes. 
They were to account to the postmas- 
ters and to be paid from postages and 
their other receipts. They distributed 
the Bennington and the Windsor news- 
papers to their subscribers along the 
routes they traveled. Under this act 

ANTHONY HASWELL 

was commissioned postmaster general 
by Gov. Thomas Chittenden, Mar. 10, 
1784, and it is probable that 

DAVID RUSSELL, 

who was partner of Mr. Haswell in the 
publication of the Gazette, acted as the 
Bennington postmaster. He was ap- 
pointed to that office on the admission 
of the State into the Union, and held it 
from Aug. 25, 1791 till 1797, when 
under the presidency of the elder Adams 
he was appointed collector of customs 
for the district of Vermont and he then 
removed to Burlington. He was suc- 
ceeded as postmaster by 



MICAH J. LYMAN, 

father of our late deacon, George Ly- 
man, and held the office from October 
1.. 1797 till 1808. The post-office was 
kept in the printing office by Mr. Rus- 
sell, and by Dr. Lyman in his drug- 
store next south the residence of the 
late John S. Robinson, on the upper 
hill. 

Each section of Bennington Village 
had its hotels, aud merchants' stores, 
and mechanics' shops ; the two sections 
not unnalurall}' came in competition 
with each other in business and for 
public favor. Was there ever a village 
whose two ends did not '' This rivalry 
sometimes produced unpleasant feelings 
and sharp controversies, and it became 
not the less active when it was found . 
during the presidenc}'' of John Adams, 
that the men of the two sections were 
in general of opposite parties in politics. 

UP-HILL AND DOWN HILL POLITICS. 

Nearly all of the Down-hill people, 
among whom were the Dewey's the 
Swifts and Tichenors, were Federalists, 
while those of Upper-hill, comprising 
the Robinsons, the Fays, Haswellsand 
others, were ante-Federalists aud friends 
of iVIr. Jefferson, who was soon to be- 
come president. They took upon them- 
selves the name of Republicans, dis- 
claiming that of Democrats, which from 
the excesses that had recently been com- 
mitted under it during the French Rev- 
olution, was unpopular, not to say 
odious. 

Tiie Federalists however dubbed the 
Republicans with the name of Demo- 
crats by way of reproach, aud the Re- 
publicans retorted by calling them aris- 
tocrats and monarchists. 

In order to a proper understanding 
of the various changes that have taken 
place in our postmasters, and in their 



BENNINGTON, 



31 



movements from place to place, some 
preliminary statement of the party re- 
lations of the men of t)je town with 
the different administrations of the gen- 
ei".'d government, seems necessary. — 
^ Mr. Tichenor, a native of New Jersey, 
whose conrtly manners and fascinating 
conversation had acquired for him the' 
familiar title of the "Jersey sleek," 
and whose great personal popvdarity 
had enabled him to obtain ten success- 
ive elections of govern )r, up to the year 
1808, Avhile the other State officers 
were generally chosen by the Republi- 
cans, and also a majority of the legis- 
lature, was the acknowledged leader of 
the Federalists ; while Jonathan Rob- 
inson, who was chief judge of the su- 
preme court from 1801 to 1808, and 
was then chosen a senator in Congress 
to fill a vacancy and held the office by 
another election till 1815, occupied a 
like leadership of the Repblicans. He 
and Govenor Tichenor Avere both able 
men and shi-ewd politicians, and each 
of them exercised an important, and 
frequently, a controlling influence 
over their respective parties through- 
out the State. Judge Robinson 
being senator during President Mad- 
ison's administration and having his 
friendl}^ confidence, had the principal 
control of his patronage throughout the 
State, which was quite large during the 
three years war with England that ter- 
minated in 1815. 

From 1808 to 1813, the Republi- 
cans were generally in a majority in 
the town, and Were able to choose mem- 
bers of that party to the assembly 
though the elections were often very 
spirited and close. But during the war 
with England when the times were hard 
and taxes high, the Federal candidates 
were chosen, and at theelectioi\ iii 1813 
and 1814 the Federal Govenor andothr 



er state officers were also elected. The 
Legislature of 1814, also chose Gove- 
nor Tichenor United States Senator to 
succeed Judge Robinson. 

On the return of peace with Eng- 
land the Federalists, from the alledged 
unpatriotic conduct of their prominent 
leaders during the war, became very 
unpopular. The Federalists, in fact ceas- 
ed to exist as a national party after 
1816, and the old party lin«s soon be- 
came so obliterated in most, if not, 
all the states, that the period of some 
eiffht or ten years from that date has 
not inappropriately been styled 'The era 
of good feeling.' Mr. Monroe, who suc- 
ceeded Mr. Madison, was the only can- 
didate for the presidency for his sec- 
ond term in 1820, and received all the 
votes of the electors of all the 
states, with the exception of one vote 
out of the seven from New Hampshire, 
which single vote was cast by a crotch- 
ety elector for John Quincy Adams. — 
At the next presidential election in 1824 
there were four candidates, all Repub- 
licans: John Quincy Adams, "VVm. H. 
Crawford, Andrew Jackson and Henry 
Claj', when their being no choice by 
the electors. Mr. Adams was chosen 
by the House of Representatives. Mr. 
Adams had been supported bj^ the Re- 
publicans of Vermont, including those 
of Bennington. Prior to the next pres- 
idential election most of the friends of 
Crawford and Jackson united with oth- 
ers in oposition to the administration of 
Mr. Adams, claiming for themselves the 
name of the Democratic party ;and the 
the supporters of jNIr. Adams took for 
themselves that of the National Re- 
publican party, for which a few years 
afterwards that of the Whig party Avas 
substituted. The Democratic part}' thus 
j formed has continued to the present 
time. In 1828, Jackson, the candidate 



32 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



of that party was elected president over 

Adams, Vermont choosing electors, 

who voted again for Adams. The 

State, and also the town and countj^ 

were almost unanimous for Adams : but 

the Gazette, representing most of the 

old Eopublicans of Bennington Hill 

occupied a hesitating position in regard \ in the vicinity of the Court House. — 

to the two candidates with an evident | During the latter portion of his term 

leaning in favor of Jackson. After liis j ^f office the increase of other parts of 

election it gave his administration its I the town had tended to weaken the Up- 



his time in a room south of and adjoin- 
ing the State Arms tavern, opposit ethe 
Court House. 

Mr. Haswell held the office over 20 
years, from June 6, 1813, to Nov. 1, 
1833, keeping it the greatest part of 
the time at different places on the Hill 



active support, and ever afterwards 
its like support to the Democratic par- 
ty. In 1832, Jackson was again elect- 
ed president and in 1836, Martin Van 
Buren, both bj^ the Democratic party, 
but in 1840, Gen. Harrison, the Whig 
candidate, was chosen over Mr. Van 
Buren. 

This statement of the names and po- 
litical positions of the presidents seems 
necessary to a proper understanding of 
the questions arising in regard to the 
• appointments of the several postmasters 
in the town and the location of the 
post-offices. From this it will be seen 
that the old Republicans of the Upper 
Hill, having been continually in politi- 
cal accord with all the presidents from 
Jefferson in 1801 to Harrison in 1841, 
would naturally exercise the control 
in the selection of postmasters and in 
determining the places where the office 
should be kept. 

Micah J. Lyman, who was a Feder; 
alist, had held the office of Bennington 
postmaster from 1797 until Nov. 20. 
1808, when he was succeeded by Oi'sa- 
rans C. Merrill, a Republican. Mr. Mer- 
rill was son-in-law of Senator Robin- 
son and he held the office until he be- 
came a Lieut. Colonel in the army in 
1813, when William Haswell was ap- 



per Hill as its convenient business cen- 
tre and to favor the claims of the Low- 
er Hill and of the people to the east- 
ward of it. 

BENNINGTON BANK 1828. 

In 1828, these claims were par- 
tially recognized by the erection of 
the building for the then recently char- 
tered bank about mid-waj' between the 
two ends of the Old Village. The 
building is still standing on the brow 
of the Upper Hill over-looking the 
Down Hill portion and is on the upper 
corner of the side road that leads to- 
wards the northeast part of the town, 
opposite the house of Gen. David Rob- 
inson, now that of his grandson, Geo 
W. Robinson. 

NORTH BENNINGTON POST-OFICE. 

During the same year ( 1828, ) 
a new post-office had been established 
at North Bennington, which supplied a 
portion of the north-west part of the 
town with mail facilities and withdrew 
some business from the main office. 

There had also been growing up lor 
several years a new village — 

EAST BENNINGTON 

in tbe valley, from one to two miles 
east of the old Centre meeting-house, 
and its people and others living further 



pointed his successor. The nffi.-e had to the eastward were beginning to com- 
been kept by Mr. Merrill for most of ] plain that they were required to go 



BENNINGTON, 



33 



up the steep meeting-honse hill aud half 
a mile up another hard hill to obtain 
their mail matter, when they insisted 
that more than half the revenue of the 
oflfice came from them. Mr. Haswell 
doubtless felt the force of this claim, for 
in 1 830, he had a small building erect- 
ed on the lower corner of the before 
mentioned side road, south of and op- 
posite the bank, thus somewhat short- 
ening the distance of travel for the low- 
er hill and the eastern people. In this 
building, Mr. Haswell kept the office 
for the remainder of his term, having 
a young man, Asahel Hyde, since a 
successful business man at St. Albans, 
for his intelligent and gentlemanly 
clerk. 

In November 1833, Henry Kellogg 
succeeded Mr. Haswell as postmaster, 
and he held the office until the spring 
of 1841, for over seven years. He 
continued to keep the office for several 
years in the same building in which it 
had been left by Mr. Haswell, where a 
youth then pursuing his studies, Edwin 
H. Chapiu, was his genial and scholarly 
clerk, and who was afterwards the Rev. 
Dr. Chapin, the distinguished pidpit 
orator, Avho died in New York City, 
Dec. 26, 1880, at the age of 66. 

EAST BENNINGTON POST-OFFICE. 

The efforts of the East Village people 
to have the post-office brought nearer 
to them continued to increase with their 
population, and the mail contractors 
on the Albany and Brattleboro route 
complained of the unnecessary delay 
and hardship of being compelled to 
drive their stages away from their route 
up a heavy hill in order to deliver and 
receive their mails: and by the year 
1839, the pressure became too strong 
to be longer resisted, and the office was 
removed down the hill to the Scott 



store where it was kept for the residue 
of Mr Kellogg's term. Whether this 
removal was made by special order of 
the department, or by leave asked by 
Mr. Kellogg, has not been ascertained. 
General Harrison having been elect- 
ed president over Mr. Van Buren, was . 
inaugurated Mar. 4, 1841, but died the 
4th of April, following, being in office 
but a single mouth, and was succeeded 
by John Tyler, the Vice President, 
though the Whigs had been accustom- 
ed to declaim against ''the spoils sys- 
tem of removing minor officers on 
the change of administrations, which 
had been first put in active operation 
by the Democrats, on the accession of 
President Jackson yet thej^ were gen- 
erally quite willing when opportunity 
offered to follow the example of their 
opponents. In accordance with this 
system, David Love became post-mas- 
ter, May 8, 1841, and held the office 
until the winter of 1843, when he was 
succeeded by John C. Haswell. Mr. 
Love kept the office during his term in 
the Scott store. There was no objec- 
tion to Mr. Love or Mr. Kellogg as 
postmasters, other than that each of 
them when removed was charged with 
the offense of belonging to the wrong po- 
litical party. The practice of changing 
the minor officers of the government on 
the access of a new administration, 
though often condemned as fraught 
with many great evils has been contin- 
ued to the present time (Feb. 1883.) 
An attempt has recently been made by 
an act of Cougi-ess to correct the de- 
moralizing effects of the scramble for 
office under this "spoils system," and 
to ensure appointments of the minor 
officers in the departments at Wash- 
ington and in other large public offices 
of the country without reference to 
their politics, but with sole regard to 



34 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



fitness. Whether it will he successful 
can best be determined by experiment. 

Mr. Tyler had not been long in of- 
fice before he became flattered with the 
idea that if he should abandon the par- 
ty that had elected him and oppose its 
measures, he could by the use of his 
government patronage, with the aid of 
the Democrats, form for himself a per- 
sonal party that would nominate and 
elect him to the presidency for anoth- 
er term. 

The "State Banner," which was 
founded as a Whig paper and was pub- 
lished in Bennington. (East village) did 
not follow Tyler in his revolt, but ad- 
hered to the mass of the Whigs of 
whom Henry Clay and others were the 
prominent leaders. But John C. Has" 
well, the publisher of the Gazette, in 
common with other Democratic edi- 
tors, readily gave him aid in his hostil- 
ities to the Whig party, and Mr Has- 
weU by his active efforts with his paper 
in that direction, so ingratiated himself 
into the favor of his administration, he 
had little difficulty in obtaining the of- 
fice of post-master in the place of Mr. 
Love, whom he succeeded Feb. 3, 1843. 

Soon after he became postmaster, 
Mr. Haswell found he could obtain a 
more lucrative position in the general 
post-office at Washington and went to 
that city, leaving the Bennington of- 
fice in the care of Edward Rice, who 
became post- master, July 12, 1844, 
and served till Feb. 23, 1847, when he 
resigned and was succeeded by Mr. 
Haswell who again became postmaster. 

When Mr. Haswell had been first 
appointed post-master, he had pur- 
chased the Hall and Southworth law of- 
fice, which stood on the side hill just 
above the residence of the late A. B. 
Gardner and during his time kept the of- 



fice there. In the fall of 1841, the 
new road which entered the Centre 
Village from the East Village, north of 
the Truman Squire house, had been op- 
ened which made it much easier for trav- 
el than the steep, old road by the meet- 
ing-honse, and rendered the side hill of- 
fice quite as convenient for the East 
Village people as the Scott store, and 
it became still more convenient when 
Mr. Rice caused the building to be 
drawn down the hill to the corner of 
the new road, opposite the Squire 
house, which he did soon after his ap- 
pointment. 

A few months before Mr. Rice left 
the post-office, the rivalry between the 
East Village and the Old Village which 
had continually been gi'owing warmer, 
was suddenly brought to a high fever 
heat. The first Court House which had 
been built at an early day on the Up- 
per Hill, had been destroyed by fire in 
May 1809, and a second one that had 
been erected near the site of the former 
one was now, Oct. 28, 1846, also burn- 
ed to the gi'ound. 

The East Village had been on a steady 
increase for quite a number of years, 
while the Old Village, at the best, could 
only be said to be at a stand-still. Ten 
years prior to 1846, four new churches 
had been organized in the East Village, 
viz : a Baptist, an Episcopal, a Con- 
gregationalist and Methodist, each of 
which had erected substantial church 
buildings. New streets were opened 
and occupied by dwellings, stores, 
shops, iron foundries and manufactu- 
ring and mechanical works of various 
kinds moved by water-power, until the 
new village had become more than 
double in population and business to 
that of the old. There was also an 
unmistakable tendencj'^ towards a con- 
tinued»increase of the new village and 



BENNINGTON. 



35 



a decrease of the old. Under these Village by the name of East Benning- 
circumstauces it was to be expected i ton of which Gen. Henry Robinson 



that au earnest and persistent effort 
would be made for the erection of the 
Court House in the- New Village. In 
order to determine the place where the 
new county buildings should be erect- 
ed, application was made to the Leg- 
islature then in session, and by an act 
of Nov. 2d, 184(i, after providing for 
a tax for erecting the buildings, Eben- 
ezerN. Briggs of Brandon, Abishai 
Stoddard of Grafton and Caleb B. Har- 
rington of Middietown were constitut- 
ed a committee to designate the place 
where it should be built. Tne commit- 
tee met in the town the January follow- 
ing and spent several days there, dur- 
ing which time there was an abund- 
ance of bntton-holing and feasting of 
the committee and also a public hearing 
of the claimants in the old Centre 
meeting-house, which was crowded 
with anxious listeners, the claims of 
the East Village being advocated by 
A. P. Lyman and Win. Southworth, 
and that of the Upper, or in default of, 
that of the Lower Hill bj^ John S. 
Robinson and Pierpoint Isham. But 
contrary to the hopes and expecta- 
tions of the New Village, the majority 
of the committee against the opinion 
of Mr. Stoddard, decided in favor of 
the Old Village and directed that the 
buildings should be erected to the north 
of the old meeting-house between the 
north-west corner of the old bni'ying 
ground and the house of the late Tru- 
man Squire. Thus the Court House 



was appointed postmaster, Jan. 13, 
1844, but which was discontinued May 
28, 1846, for the alleged reason that it 
was nearer the main office than the reg- 
ulations of the department allowed.- 
He is said to have kept the office a 
part of the time in a small building near 
the stoi-e of Wills and Fairbanks and a 
part of the time in that store, now 
known as the Godfre}^ store When 
Mr. Haswell left Bennington for Wash- 
ington as above stated, he sold his 
printing material to one of his brothers 
and Mr. Bushnell, by whom under the 
firm of Haswell and Bushnell the Ga- 
zette was published until February, 
1847, when he returned to Bennington 
and became the owner again of the 
printing establishment. On the 23d of 
that month, he was appointed post- 
master as Mr Rice's successor, and 
yery soon after removed the press 
and Gazette from the Hill to the East 
Village. Mr. Haswell soon after, ei- 
ther in March or April, supposing that 
he had authority from Washington 
through Mr. Brown, the assistant post- 
master general, to change the location 
of the office, caused it to be removed 
to the East Village. He was the own- 
er of the small building in which it 
had been kept by Mr Rice on the 
Squire corner, and had it moved about 
a mile down the hill and placed on the 
corner, of Main and South streets, op- 
posite what is now the Putnam house. 
To effect the removal, the building was 



was anchored where if not then quite I placed on timbers, serving as runners 
out of place, was sure to be so very and drawn by oxen. It went quite 
soon j smoothly" down the hill about one-third 

During the period in which J. C. ^of the way, btit when it came to the 
Haswell under his first appointment and j level groimd it dragged hard, so that 
Mr. Rice were postmasters, ancAVof- j the team had to be increased to eight 
fice had been provided for the East or ten yoke of oxen. With these under 



36 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the direction of the famous teamster, 
Dickerman A. Rider, and his skillful 
handling of his ox-goad the removal 
was finallj accomplished. The acces- 
sion of the main post-office, which they 
had long desired was the occasion of re- 
joicing to the East Village people, who 
looked upon it as some compensation 
for the late denial of their just claim to 
the site for the new court-house. Bells 
were rung and hundreds of the inhab- 
itantants turned out to witness and 
cheer on the removal of the buildmg, 
the dramatic appearance of which was 
much heightened by the stopping of the 
stages at the moving office to deliver 
and receive their mails, and the receipt 
and delivery of letters to and from it. 
The rejoicing, however, was not of 
long continuance. David Robinson, 
John S. Robinson, and Benj. F. Fay, 
representatives of the old Bennington 
Hill Democracy, a few days after tlie 
removal went to "Washington to protest 
against the act, and demanded the re- 
turn of the post-office to the Hill and 
the removal of the post-mas^ter. On 
their arrival at Washington, Cave 
Johnson, the post-master general under 
President Polk, sent Mr. HasweU a 
despatch, who immediately repaired to 
that city where the matter was discuss- 
ed pro and con in the department with 
the result that Mr, HasweU should re- 
main as post-master, but that the office 
should at once be returned from the 
East to the Hill Village. 

The removal of the Gazette bj^ Mr. 
HasweU to the East VUlage caused 
gi-eat commotion and strife in the De- 
mocracy of tht town and county. A 
new press and type were soon obtain- 
ed and another paper started on the 
HUl, which also assumed the name of 
the Vermont Gazette, each of the two, 
claiming to be the genuine continu- 



ation of the original of the previous 
century, and each the "Simon pure" 
representative of the Democratic par- 
ty. Bitter crimination and recrimina- 
tion followed. But Mr. HasweU being 
continued as post-master, aU mail mat- 
ter for both newspapers passed through 
his hands, and the papers bemg of the 
same name, it is not surprising, that 
controversies should arise in regard to 
which newspaper some of the letters 
and packages were intended to be sent. 
Complaints were made and continued 
by the publishers of the Hill Gazette 
that matter designed for them was im- 
properly retained by Mr. HasweU for 
himself. The natural remedy for the 
difficult}' was for the department to 
appoint a new postmaster not interest- 
ed in either paper, which was accord- 
ingly done, Jan. 28, 1848, when Henry 
KeUogg became Mr. HaswelFs success- 
or. It seems that Mr. HasweU was not 
found guilty of dishonest intentions, 
for he was on the same day appointed 
postmaster for East Bennington, and 
he held the office for several months 
afterwards. 

The. strife between the two newspa- 
pers continued until September 1849, 
when Messrs. Aiken & Lull, the pro- 
prietors, of the Hill paper purchased 
the establishment of Mr. HasweU who 
removed to San Francisco, Cal., where 
he still resides The Hill Gazette, 
however, was found to be jinprofitable 
and was discontinued, after a year's 
father struggle in October 1850. 

During this term of Mr. Haswell's 
postmastership, from May 1847 to Jan- 
uary 1848, when Mr. Kellogg became 
his successor, he occupied the building 
which had been previously used by his 
brother William for the post-office, on 
the corner opposite the old bank. It 
was now drawn down to the Squh'e 



BENNINGTON, 



37 



corner to the place from which the for- 
mer building had been removed and 
there again used for the purpose for 
which it had originally been erected 
This building was deeded to Sarah, 
wife of Zeuas Jones, Aug. 14, 1849, 
and by hhn removed south of the meet- 
ing-house and occupied as a dwelling.- 
Mr. Kellogg after his appointment in 
Januarj^ 1848, was post-master until 
July 1849. This was about a month 
prior to the sale of the latter building 
to Mrs. Jones, and it is believed it 
was occupied by Mr. Kellogg until 
he ceased to hold the main office and 
became post-master for Bennington 
Centre, after which this business was 
kept in his law-office building. 

A few months after the inaugura- 
tion of General Taylor, who had been 
elected president bj^ the Whigs in 
1848, A. P. Lj'man in bshalf of the 
people of the East Village went to 
Washington, taking with him sworn 
evidence of the great preponderance 
in pouplation and business of the East 
Village over the Old, and of the ad- 
vantages to the town and vicinity of 
having the post-office remove^ there 
obtained an order making the East 
Village the location for the Benning- 
ton office, and appointing Horace L. 
White, post-master. Judge Jacob Col, 
lamer of Vermont was then post-mas- 
ter general, butit was said he hesita- 
ted about acting in the matter, and the 
evidence was submitted to the pers- 
onal examination of the President, who 
promptly directed the change to be 
made. 

Mr. White's commission bore date, 
July 12th 1849, and he was post- 
master until after Mr. Pierce became 
president, when he was succeeded by 
Truman Huling. Mr. White kept the of- 
fice in the small buildins on the cor- 



ner, east of and opposite the Putnam 
hou.se. 

On the appointment of Mr White 
and the removal of the main of- 
fice, the East Village became and has 
continued to be known as Bennington. 

On the removal of the post-office 
Mr Kellogg was retained as postmas- 
ter at the Branch in the Old Vil- 
lage designated as West Bennington, 
but on application of its inhabitants 
was two weeks afterwards changed to 
Bennington Centre by which it has 
continued to be known since July 27, 
1849. He was post-master until suc- 
ceeded by John Hicks, Dec 16, 1850, 
and kept it where before stated. 

During the period that Mr. Kellogg 
held the main office at Bennington, 
Geo. B. Praitice succeeded Mr. Has- 
wellas post-master at East Bennington.* 
His appointment was made. Aug. 17, 
1848, and he was post-master until the 
East Village became Bennington on the 
appointment of Mr, White when the of- 
fice was discontinued He kept the of- 
fice in the store of Wills & Fairbanks, 
now the Godfrey store. 

Apr 30, 1853, soon after Mr. Pierce 
became president, Truman Huling was 
appointed pqjjt-master in place of Mr. 
White, and continued until April 1857, 
during which time he kept his post-of- 
fice at the book-store of Almon Eddy, 
in the Adams block, opposite the pres- 
ent Court House. 

Apr. 7, 1857, wheu Mr. Buchanan be- 
came president, John R. Gates was 
appointed post-master and continued 
until April 18G1, keeping tlie business 
in a building on Main street, nearly 
opposite the Methodist church. 

Apr. 9, 1861, J. I. C. Cook, who 
had become publisher of the "Benning- 
ton Banner, was appointed post-master 



38 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



and held the appointment during the 
administrations of Liucohi, Johnson 
and Grant until Apr. 22, 1872, when 
he was succeeded by Thomas J. Tiffa- 
ny, still, post-master (1883.) The of- 
fice was kept by Mr. Cook near the 
corner of Main and North streets, and 
also by Mr Tiffany until the spring of 
1882, when it was removed to the Free 
Library building. 

» AT BENNIKGTON CENTRE. 

Since the removal of the main post-of- 
fice to the East Village, the following 
have been post-masters, viz: Henry 
Kellogg, as bofore stated ; John Hicks, 
Dec. 16, 1850, under the administration 
of President Taylor, keeping the of- 
fice in his harness-shop near the Wal- 
loomsac house ; Alfred Robinson, Dec. 
28, 1853, and Geo. W. Robinson, Mar. 
21, 1859, under the administrations of 
Presidents Pierce and Buchanan, and 
Charles R. Sanford under that of Pres- 
ident Lincoln, April 9, 1861, who is 
still postmaster (1883), and whose of- 
fice has been kept in the Sanford store. 

AT NORTH BENNINGTON. 

The following is a list of the succes- 
sive postmasters at Noith Bennington 
with the dates of their appointments: 
Daniel Loomis, Nov. 18, 1828 ; 
Charles S. Wright, Oct. 11, 1833: 
Wm. E. Hawks, Apr. 1, 1839: 
Hiram R. Haswell, Apr. 20, 1855 : 
Chas. E. Houghton, Mar. 28, 1856 : 
Chas. E. Welling, Jan. 4, 1864 : 
Milo C. Huling, Sept. 5, 1866 : 
Chas. E. Welling, Sept. 17, 1866: 
^Chas. M. Colvin, Dec. 20, 1875 : — 
who still remains postmaster — 1883. 

THE BENNINGTON COURT HOUSE. 

One other matter connected with the 
County buildings remains to be stated. 
The Court House which had been erect- 
ed in the Old Village, in compliance 



with the descision of the committee un- 
der the act of 1846, and which had 
been built of brick, had been destroyed 
by fire on the morning of March 26, 
1869. But now the population and 
business of the new Village of Ben- 
nington had increased to four or five 
times that of the old. It had been con- 
nected for years with the outside world 
by railroad and was the place of the 
main postotiice. It had become so decid- 
edly the centre of the business of the 
town and county, the county clerk had 
found it necessary for the accommo- 
dation of the bar and of the public to 
keep an open office in that village with 
the current books and papers of the 
County and Supreme courts. This had 
been done with the consent of the coun- 
ty judges and it fortunately saved from 
destruction the most important records 
of both those courts, and in conse- 
quence much less loss and inconven- 
ience Avas occasioned by the fire than 
would otherwise have happened. The 
probate records were in the court-house 
but were preserved from destruction in 
its fire-proof safe. 

No attempt was made to retain the 
court-house in its former location, bnt 
a portion of the people of the County 
were desirous of having the County 
buildings in one cential place, where 
all the records should ^ kept, and all 
the courts held, instead of at the two 
ends of the County. 

The Legislature, therefore, by act 
of Nov. 15, 1869 after laying a tax on 
the County for the expense of erecting 
pi'oper buildings provided for the sub- 
mission of the question whether there 
should be one or two sets of such build- 
ings to the legal voters of the County in 
their town-meetings to be held on the 
last Tuesday of the following Februa- 
ry. Such of the voters as desired only 



BENNINGTON 



39 



one set of buildings were to designate should have been made on high ground 



on their ballots the town or village in 
which thay wished them erected. If 
there should be a majority of the vo- 
ters for any single place, the buildings 



and for two generations it was the most 
suitable place for it. It was a conspicu- 
ous and commanding position among 
the new settlements, ai\d from the 



were to be erected there, but if other- } character and ability of its inhabitants 



wise, they were to be placed in the 
Village of Bennington . By the provis- 
ions of the same act a committee con- 
sisting of Henry W. Putnam of Ben- 
nington, Samuel M. West of Arling- 
ton, and Augustus G-. Clark of Man- 
chester, were appointed to s-uperintend 
their erection in conformity to the re- 
sult of the vofe thus provided for. The 
majority being in favor of the continu- 
ance of the two county shires, the 
committee proceeded to erect the pres- 
ent court-house and jail in Bennington 
Village, which was done at a cost to 
the county of $ 30.000. 

The buil ding is of brick, and beside 
the court room contains the county 
clerk's office, the probate office and the 
jail and jailor's residence. Both the 
county clerk's and the probate office are 
provided with fire-proof vaults. The 
jail has seven cells for the confinement 
of males and one off the residence of 
the jailor for females. 

After the burning of the court-house 
at the Centre, until the new building 



it soon became conspicuous from a 
distance. 

It was known at New York Cit}' as 
the head quarters of the defenders oi 
the titles under the grants of New 
Hampshire, as their defiant stronghold 
against the land jobbing and land rob- 
bing government of its colony. To that 
government it was a "city set on a hill 
that would not be hid ;" and when its 
loidly Govenor sent his sheriff with 
hundreds of followers, to take posses- 
sion for the cit}' speculators of the 
farms of two of its inhabitants, was 
found quite ready and able to protect 
them ; and did in fact with a pi'oper 
show of resolution and musketry easily 
persuade the city dignatary with his 
famed posse comitatus to return hurried- 
ly back to Albany relieved of all incli- 
nation to embark again in a simUar 
expedition. 

Bennington Hill was alike conspicu- 
ous in its resistance to the oppressive 
measures of the British crown. A few 
davs after the shedding of the first 
was completed, the courts were held ' American blood at Lexington, it fur- 
in the hall of the Bennington Free j nished the commander and was the 
Library. | place of muster for the men of the 

Ihe rivalries and controversies which | ^^«"' Hampshire Grants who on the 
have been mentioned in the foregoing i ^^^h of May, 1775, captured the for- 
account are such as would naturally 
arise among intelligent and order loving 



people having different, local interests, 
and there seems no reason to question 
the sincerit}^ or the integrety of pur- 
pose of any of the contending parties. 
In the midst of the forest it was natural 



tress of Ticonderoga for the "Conti- 
nental Congress" and also in the name 
of a still higher power. 

At a later period of the Revolution, 
the men of Bennington were no less 
conspicuous in defense of their country 
when Burgoyne, on his triumphant 



that the first settlement of the town I march toward Albany, sent a large 



40 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



body of his veterans to seize Benning- 
ton and the public stores gathered there, 
they were not permitted to cross ihe 
threshold of the town, but were met 
on its borders and most of them cap- 
tured or slain. The only visit any of 
them were permitted to make the town 
was as prisoners of war. This first suc- 
cessful resistance to the invasion inflic- 
ed a blow which secured the captixre 
of the Invader and that ot his whole 
army at Saratoga, a few weeks after- 
wards. 

A Monument. 
The early inhabitants of the town of 
which the Old Village was the nucleus 
and centre, has given to it a history 
of which the present generation may 
well be proud. Their recent, earnest 
exertions to raise a creditable monu- 
ment to the memory of the brave men 
from New Hampshire, Vermont and 
Massachusetts, who together achieved 
the victory of the 16th of August 1777 ; 
a monument which is to have its found- 
ation on the site of the old store-house 
which was sought to be captured by 
Burgoyne, and on the summit of the 
highest, centre hill, overlooking a rich 
surrounding country, may be taken as 
an indication that the patriotic deeds 
of the fathers are not unappreciated 
by their sons. 

PROGRESSIVE CHANGES. 

But the merits and fame of our ear- 
ly inhabitants, however great, could 
not secure their work from the power- 
ful effect of progressive changes in the 
business and employments of men.- 
founded at a time when agriculture 
constituted the chief and almost the 
only business of life. It was found 
quite inappropriate to a period when 
a majority of its people became engag- 



ed in other pursuits. The streams and 
the more level land in the valleys fur- 
nished water-power and numerous oth- 
er facilities for manufacturing and its 
attendant industries, with which the 
Hill could not long hope to compete. — 
The substitution of the New Villege 
for the Old, as its business centre, 
could not be successfully resisted. — 
The change was inevitable. 

HILAND HALL. 

Page 31 : read General Harrison was elected 
by Whigs over Van Buren. Omission.— Ed. 

BENNINGTON FREE LIBRARY. 

In 1865 a Free Library was estab- 
lished in Bennington by the joint ac- 
tion of Seth B. Hunt and Trenor W. 
Park. — Though full biographies of 
these respected donors of the library, 
are expected for this work from other 
hands, a few words in respect to them 
is deemed proper here. — Mr. Hunt 
was born Bennington, February 1811, 
and died in NewYork City, April 20, 
1880. — Mr Park was born in Wood- 
ford, adjoining Bennington, Dec. 8, 
1823, and died at sea on his way from 
New York to the Isthmus of Panama. 
Dec 13, 1882. Both of them spent 
their early and much of their later 
lives in Bennington; both by their 
own efforts and industry had been suc- 
cessful in business, and both had long 
been liberal in their contributions to 
religious, educational and charitable 
objects. 

The donors purchased an unfinished, 
commodious, brick building, situated 
in a central place in the village, and fit- 
ted it up for the use of the library. — 
The building is two stOi'ies in height, 
the upper story containing a library 
room and a reading-ioom, a large hall 
for lectures and public meetings with 



BENNINGTON. 



41 



an entrance ro«)m attached, all well 
provided with tables, shelves and other 
suitable furniture. The lower story is 
divided into rooms for offices and stores. 
The library contained at first about — 
carefully selected volumes of standard 
works, and has since, from its annual 
increase and other sources been largely 
increased. The original cost of the 
whole to the donors was about $10,000, 
of which each shared equally. 

The times and conditons on which 
the library was given are specified in 
a deed of trust from the donors to 
Hiland Hall, Benjamin R. Sears, Dan- 
iel Mc' Cowen, Thomas J. Tiffany and 
John v. Hall, which terms and condi- 
tions are as follows : 

First In order to perpetuate the trust 
it is provided that in case of the death, 
resignation, or removal from the town 
of Bennington, of any one of the trus- 
tees the fifth part of the premises con- 
veyed shall revert in the residue of 
them, which fifth part they are requir- 
ed to convey to such person as they 
shall name as their associate trustee. 



by the trustees for public meetings and 
lectures and other assemblies of people 
under such regulations as they might 
prescribe, and the other parts of the 
building not suitable for the use of the 
library and reading room might be rent- 
ed for such purposes as said trustees 
might choose, the proceeds of all rents 
to be appropriated for the payment of 
taxes, expenses of insurance and prop- 
er repairs and improvements and for 
the care of the library, reading room 
and building, -the residue to be applied 
to the increase of the library." 

Fourthly "The said trustees may com- 
mit the care and management of the 
library, reading room and building to 
the Association already formed, for 
taking charge thereof, or'^to any other 
association hereafter to be formed or 
to individuals in their discretion, and 
shall have power to resume the charge 
of the same whenever in their opinion 
the objects of the trust would thereby 
be promoted." 

Fitfhly The building, furniture and 
library are to be at all times kept weU 

Secondly. The trustees, their survivors ^^'"^"^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^'''''^^^' ^°^ '"' S^^'^ ^^■ 
and successors are to permit the prem-iP''^"' ^°^^ "^^^ be rebuilt by them in 
ises to be occupied and kept for a li- i case of destruction by fire." 



brary for the free use without compen- 
sation of the inhabitants of the town 
of Bennington and its immediate vi- 
cinity, and to which a reading room 
maybe attached, and under such regu- 
lations for the safe keeping of the 
books and papers and the proper care 



Sixthly The trustees are so to man- 
age the trust as always to prevent its 
becoming of a sectarian character, no 
preference being allowed to one com- 
munion, denomination or belief over 
another, and the said five trastees may 
execute all their services and perform 



and return of such books as may be ta- all their duties by a majority of their 



ken from the library for reading as 
may from time to time be approved by 
said trustees." 



number." 

It was also further provided in the 
deed that if the trustees should attempt 
Thirdly It was provided that the \ to divert the property thereby convey- 
large room on the second floor should ' ed or the proceeds thereof, from the 
"forever be set apart for a public hall purposes and objects of the trust or to 
and might from time to time be rented | permit it to be done by others to whom 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



42 

they might commit the charge of it, or 
suffer the property to run to waste and 
decay, then the deed was to be null and 
void, and the property and its proceeds 
was to revert and become invested in 
the said donors and their heirs the 
same as if the conveyance had never 
been made. 

A Young Men's Association, such as 
had been mentioned in the deed of 
trust, having been organized, the inaug- 
uration and formal presentation of the 
institution took place at a gathering of 
the inhabitants of the town in the hall 
of the library building on the evening 
of the 23d of June U{r T l of 
trust, which bore date on that day was 
publicly read, and interesting and ap- 
propriate addresses were made both by 
Mr. Hunt and Mr. Park on their pur- 
poses and expectations in founding the 
library, to which thankful responses 
were made by Hiland Hall, in behalf 
of the trustees, and by the Rev. Wm. 
S. Apsey, President of The You eg 
Men's Association for their generous 
and most valuable donation. Other 
prominent citizens, also, joined with 
them in expressing the grateful ac- 
knowledgements of the inhabitants of 
the town for the unsolicited liberality 
of the respected donors. 

The number of desirable volumes in 
the library has continued to increase 
under the care of the Young Men's 
Association until the present number 
exceeds 3000, and the reading room is 
supplied with such newspapers and pe- 
riodicals as the needs of those who 
frequent it seem to require. The means 
by which the additions to the library 
have been made are from the rent of 
the library property and some dona- 
tions from Mr. Hunt, Mr. Park and 
others. The latest money donation was 



from Mr. Park of $1000 for the pur- 
chase of new books, which has in part 
been expended for that purpose, large- 
ly to supply the place of books that 
had bceome so much worn as to be un- 
fit for further library use, but leaving 
a portion of it for farther expenditure. 

HII.AND HALL. 



BENNINGTON VILLAGES 

AND 

THEIR INDUSTRIES, 
by henry d. hall, esq. 
Bennington. 
The Village of Bennington has 
changed, perhaps, more than any oth- 
er part of the town since the notice of 
it given in the Gazetteer, — Benning- 
ton County, No. II, page 136, about 
twenty -six years since. 

Favorably situated with reference to 
water-power, nearly all of its advan- 
tages have been improved and the in- 
dustries which have developed have 
quite largely increased its population 
and material wealth. This is manifested 
from the number and more extensive 
mills, shops, dwellings and churches 
which have been erected within the 
nearly three decades just passed, and 
which it is the object of this article to 
notice to some extent. 

It lies in the valley through which 
run the streams which unite in forming 
the historic "Walumscoick" river or 
as it is now called Waloomsac, — the 
Pownal, the Roaring branch from Wood- 
ford and the Furnace brook from 
Shaftsbury, — the waters of the first 
two, giving the most available water- 
power. 

At the south-west, about two miles 
distant, is Mount Anthony, 2505 feet 
high, and at the north- east, nearly the 



BENNINGTON. 



43 



same distance is Bald Mountain, 3125 ft. 
high, both aiFovdiug the eye of the in- 
habitant or visitor by their imposing 
elevation and beautiful scener}^, de- 
light and satisfaction. It has nearly 
4000 of the 3000 inhabitants now in 
the town of Bennington, and has con- 
tained since the burning of the Court 
House in Bennington Centre in 1869, 
the Court House, County Clerk's office 
and jail for the Southern Shire of the 
County. 

BENNINGTON NEWSPAPERS. 

The Bennington Banner, a weekly 
newspaper, is published by Charles A. 
Pierce and is a continuation of the State 
Banner established by Enoch Davis in 
1841. There is a job printing office 
connected with it the motive power for 
which as well as for all printing pur- 
poses, is supplied by the village water- 
works, and also, a book bindery. 

The Bennington Reformer, J, H. 
Livingston, editor and publisher, is a 
Democratic organ published here and 
has reached its twelveth volume. 

BENNINGTON GRADED SCHOOL. 

There was a special act by the legis- 
lature of 1870, procured for the ''Ben- 
nington Graded School District," and 
the district was organized, Nov. 9, of 
the same year, and a building of brick 
of dimensions, adequate and with all 
the moden improvements in furuiture, 
seats, ventillation etc., was erected in 
a central part of the village, suitable for 
the accomodotion of twelve grades of 
scholars, numbering 500 pupils or more, 
at cost of about $50,000. It proves well 
adapted for the purpose for which it was 
built, and is probably second to none in 
the State, in all its appointments. 

THE HARLEM EXTENSION. 

About 1867, a rail-road was con- 
structed from Bennington, south, call- 



ed the Harlem Extension, to Chatham, 
N. Y. to connect with the Harlem rail- 
road, making a continuous line from 
Montreal, Canada to New York. For a 
while through trains were run t6 the 
great convenience ot traveling, and of 
cars carrying milk and produce to New 
York, thus promoting the interests of 
the different tOM ns on the line ; but af- 
ter a time a different regime followed 
and it is only at intervals that there are 
accommodating connections to New 
Y''ork. This road was constructed to a 
large extent, by the issuing of bonds 
by the several towns on the line, and 
the endeavor to get rid of paying them 
has resulted in outside parties, as litiga- 
tion has progressed and the status of 
the road in law has changed from time 
to time, to purchase and control it for 
a season ; and it is now run as the New 
York, Rutland and Montreal Railwa}'-, 
having a depot in the village, necessi- 
tating the transfer of passengers, bag- 
gage and much of the freight, passing- 
through the town, to and from the Ben- 
nington and Rutland Railway, and as 
earlj' called in the Gazetteer, the 
Western Vermont Rail Road. 

THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL 
CHITRGH . 

The second Congregational Church 
edifice was destroyed by fire, Aug. 11, 
1864, and in about a year, a chapel was 
erected which now constitutes the room 
for Sabbath school purposes. The main 
church building was completed in 1773 
and is connected to the chapel with a 
parlor and other rooms for social conve- 
neiences. A parsonage was built in 
1883, on the north end of the church 
grounds of brick, as are also the cJuirch 
and chapel, which fills out the entire 
block. The pastors since the organiza- 
tion have been Revs. Arctas Loomis, 



44 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



C. H. Hubbard, C. B. Hurlbert, E. G. 
Reed, F. J. Mundy and C. C. Kimball 

D. D. Dr. Kimball Avas installed in 
August 1884. 

The present Baptist church is of 
brick and was erected in 1878, the old 
church having been taken down to 
make i-oom for one larger. There is a 
parsonage connected with it, but is not 
upon the church grounds. The pastors 
since the previous notice in the Gazet- 
teer have been Revs. W. S. Apsey, S. 
K. Dexter, R. M. Luther, G. C. Bald- 
win, Jr. and Z. Martin. 

THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH 

is of stone and has been remodelled 
and enlarged within a few j^ears, so as 
to make it a commodious and fine edi- 
fice. A parsonage was erected in 1883, 
on the corner of School and Pleasant 
streets, which is in keeping with the 
other church propert5^ The present 
pastor is Rev. T. C. Potter. 

ST. Peter's episcopal church 
which is of brick has been recently im- 
proved and beautified, answering well 
the need of this growing society. There 
has been withiT\ a short time a new rec- 
tory built upon the church grounds. — 
The rectors have been since Rev. Di". 
Manser, Revs. Phillips, Bliss, Jones, 
Graves and A.J. Barrow. 

THE FRENCH CATHOLIC CHURCH 

was organized in 1880. This society 
occupied a room in Noyes block until 
1 882, when a suitable church of wood 
was built on School street, where servi- 
ces are regularly held . 



There are two National Banks of 
8100.000 capital, each. The 1st Na- 
tional Bank of Bennington, L. R. 
Graves, President, Geo. F. Graves, 
cashier. The Bennington County Na- 



tional Bank, Charles Thatcher, Presi- 
dent, Clement S. Cone, cashier. 

MANUFACTURES. 

There have been some new kinds of 
industries sustained and a considerable 
increase in some of the kinds which 
have for a long periorl been carried on 
here. 

THE BENNINGTON MACHINE WORKS 

are the outgrowth of the two mould- 
ing furnaces in the lower part of the vil- 
lage, which have been discontinued. 

Olin Scott, the present proprietor, 
erected these works in 1865, consisting 
of a large foundiy and machine ihops, 
where gunpowder and paper macliine- 
ry of all kinds are a specialty, while 
other machine work usually done at 
such establishments is also carried on. 



THE KNITTING INTEREST 

was characterized in 1861. as 
Factories, employing 



two 
Knitting Factories, employing fifty 
hands in and about the mills, and out- 
side the mills 150 more." This branch 
has developed into much larger propor- 
tions, giving employment to more than 
four times as many now. 

H. E. Bradford & Co's hosiery .and 
knitting mill was established in 1858, 
and is situated on upper Main street. 
It was destroyed by fire in 1865, and a 
new one erected soon after. An acci- 
dent occured at this mill in January 
1874, which resulted in the death of 
nine persons. It was supposed the ex- 
plosion was the result of the igniting 
of gas which had generated beneatli the 
building from a leakage in the tank con- 
taining gasoline for the lighting of the 
mill. 

Geo. Rockwood ct Co's knitting mill 
is at the east end of the village on Main 
street, and was erected on or near the 
site of the old oil mill of Rockwood & 
Colvin. 



BENNINGTON. 



45 



The old mill for the manufacture of 
Unseed oil and oil meal will be remem- 
bered by many as being quite noted, 
and was before rail-roads were so com- 
mon, the place where flax seed from this 
vitMuity and neighboring towns in the 
State of New York was brought and the 
manufactured oil and meal was taken 
in large quantities across the mountains 
into New Hampshire and Massachusetts 
with teams. 

THE VALENTINF. KNimNG MILLS. 

Thekuittinsmill of A. B. ^'alentine, 
one of the largest in town, was burned 
in the fall of 1882. It was rebuilt in part 
in 1883. It has been operated by a com- 
pany of young men, formerly in the em- 
ploy of Mr. Valentine, who have made 
a nice class of goods, finding a ready 
sale in the market. It is situated in the 
heart of the village, a little off of Pleas- 
ant street. He converted a building, 
formerly' used by his father, Joel Val- 
entine, as a cardu)g factory, into this 
knitting mill in 1866, by remodelling 
and enlarging it, and had made pre- 
vious to the fire large additions from, 
time to time. At this writing the mill 
has been wholly rebuilt and enlarged, 
and in its tower has been placed a first 
clais town clock, giving excellent time 
to the whole village. Mr. Valentine is 
now interested in the operation of this 
mill, and two of the old company, 
Moore and Puffer, are to prosecute the 
same line of business in a new mill e- 
rected by Mr. Valentine, and leased 
by them, on the opposite side of the 
stream. The main building is three sto- 
ries high upon a foundation at least 
100X40 ft. 

RIBBED KNITTING MACHINE WOUKS. 

Tiffany & Cooper came into this vil- 
lage several years since and staited bu- 
siness in a small way, in the manufac- 



ture of ribbed knitting machines for 
knitting in a peculiar way, the wristlets 
and anklets for shirts and drawers. 
The success of this machine which was 
followed by another for knitting full 
fashioned goods, shirts and drawers in 
a single piece so that when seamed up 
they will be adapted and fashioned to 
the form, necessitated the enlargement 
of their works, and they reaped a rich 
reward for their industry and enter- 
prise. This firm is now dissolved, its 
members prosecuting, seperatel}', the 
manufacture of these machines. 

TIFFANV KNITTING MILL,-OK FILL 
FASHIONED GOODS. 

Tiffany Brothers have a mill for 
knitting the full fashioned goods above 
mentioned, which has recently been 
enlarged to keep pace with the demand 
for their product, in whicli they also 
manufacture cut goods. 

CO'iPEk's SI'UING NEEDLE MACHINE 
W<.>KKS. 

Charles Cooper has for years been 
engaged in making machine spring nee- 
dles, a business, requiring much skill, 
and is annually placing on the market 
five or six millions of the difierent 
styles re<piired in all kinds of knitting 
machines. A few years since his son 
became a partner with the firm name of 
Chas. Cooper & Son, and added to this 
business that of knitting full fashioned 
goods, as well as the cut, and is located 
on the premises formerly occupied by 
the paper mills of Geo. Benton & Sons. 
About two years since, Mr. Cooper 
purchased the water privilege used by 
M. G. Remington in the wagon busi- 
ness, and which is centrall}- located and 
has erected large buildings in which 
with the water power supplemented by 
steam, he carries on the needle and ma- 
chine business, and additional to the 



46 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



product of the mills, the making of full 
fashioned goods. 

SOAP, WHEEL-GOVENORS, HOWL-SHOP, 
SHODDY-EACTORy, ETC. 

Enos Adams and Enos Adams & Co. 
are engaged in making mineral soap, 
steam and water wheel govenors, pat- 
ent mop-sticks, wooden bowls, cotton 
batting and manufacturing shoddy, — 
the different kinds of woik, giving em- 
ployment to quite a number of hands. 

THE STONE WARE POTTERY. 

now owned and operated by Edward 
Norton andC. Welling Thatcher under 
the firm name of E. Norton & Co. still 
retains its reputation for making the 
first quality of ware, 'and though burn- 
ed in 1874, it was immediately rebuilt 
in more convenient form, and has re- 
cently been enlarged. 

CARPET-TACKS, PATENTEE. 

Hemy W Putnam purchased the 
sites of the Brown and Grover furnaces 
on North street a number of years 
since, and has been manufacturing pat- 
ent bottle fasteners, clothes- wringers and 
various other articles of light hard- 
ware, and more recently has been mak- 
ing large quantities of double pointed 
tacks for carpets and other purposes. — 
He is also patentee-manufacturer of the 
best canning fruit-jar on the market and 
is largely interested abroad in the man- 
ufacture of barbed wire, now so exten- 
sively used as fencing material. 

THE BENNINGTON WOOLEN MILLS. 

in the western part of the village were 
built by Huntct Tiilinghart in 1865. — 
Seth B. Hunt became the sole owner 
of them in 1872. In 1874, he sold to 
S. S. <k M. Fisher of New York. The 
buildings are of brick and cover a large 
area of ground and in the business, 300 
to 400 hands have been employed. — 



Owing to the death of Messrs Fisher of 
New York, the property was sold to 
Haines & Co. from the East, who oper- 
ated it for a time, but failed in busi- 
ness and for more than a year, the mills 
have been idle. 

MANY OTHER INDUSTRIES. 

There are many other industries, not 
mentioned here ; among them, wagon- 
shops, machine-shops, planing-mills, 
box-factories, ochre, and paper clay 
works, etc. etc., not because they are 
unimportant, but for lack of space ; as 
the mention of all would add too great 
length to this review. 

HOTELS. 

There are four hotels in this village, 
giving good and sufficient accommoda- 
tions to the traveling public, to the usu- 
al village boarders, and in the season, 
for summer visitors ; and in this con- 
nection, it is proper to mention two 
bakeries and four livery stables in the 
village. 

VILLAGE WATER WORKS. 

The Village has lately been supplied 
with pure spring water, which is con- 
veyed in pipes by the Bennington Wa- 
ter Co., to all parts, from a large res- 
ervoir, upon high ground about two 
miles, east, giving sufficient force for its 
use for fii*es, and which is made avail- 
able for drinking and household pur- 
poses. A contract has been made with 
the company in which H. M, Putnam 
is lai'gely interested, for the use of hy- 
drants in different parts of the village, 
which will do away with the use of fire 
engines in most cases, except it may be 
in the suburbs. 

ELECTRIC LIGHTS. 

The streets, under a contract with 
the Bennington Electric Light Co. are 
to be lighted by electricity and the work 
for its consummation is being accom- 



BENNINGTON. 



47 



niuniag 80 rods and couppling the cars 
to a hydrant, which was witnessed by 
a large number and specially attracted 
the attention of the friends of each. 

THE OLD BAND. 

There was formerly here one of the 
best instrumental bands in the State, 
which added much as an attraction and 
a pleasure to the village ; and there has 
been growing lately a desire to revive 
the 'band spirit' and reorganize and 
bring ont the pi-esent musical talent of 
the place. It it is hoped the effort may 
succeed. 



plished rapidly, so that tht old method 

of lighting by kerosene will soon be 

superseded by this more modern one, 

though as yet not in use in many vil- 
lages of its size. 

The stores and smaller places of 

trade are upon a scale that calls traffic 
from adjoining towns, and the erection 
of pleasant, and in man}'^ instances of 
quite expensive buildings has been on 
the increase, as the developments of 
business have added to the wealth of 
the inhabitants, so that on the whole, 
the village will compare favorably in 
general appearance and thrift with oth- 
er New England villages of its size. 

The Pakk Guards, 
a Military Company', was organized 
January 1876, named from the late 
T. W. Park, Esq., who from time to 
time generously contributed to its aid. 
The armory and drill room is upon 
Pottery street. 

At the Centennial Celebration, Aug 

loth, and IGth, 1877, this Company 

held the post of honor in the regiment 
and escorted the President, his Excel- 
lency, E. B. Hayes. The Company 
was at the Celebration of the Battle of 
Saratoga in October of the same year, 
in commemoration of the surrender of 
Burgoyne. 

THE EIRE DEPARTMENT 

is well organized with efficient officers, 
and both the engine and hose compa- 
nies are uniformed and supplied with 
all necessar}' equippments for effijctive 
service. For years the village has sup- 
ported a first class steamer, and one o- 
ther hand-power machine, but the build- 
ings being so largely of wood, at times ry was added to it and the school has 
it has been difficult to completely con- 1 now five grades. 

trol the fire fiend. ! xiie old Academy was sold prior to 

On the 16th of August 1887, the i the erection of the present school build- 
three hose companies had a prize ti-ial, ' ing about the year 1870. to 



North Bennington Vllage- 

Since the sketch of this villffge was 
published twenty-six years ago, "in the 
Gazetteer, page 139, there has been 
some progress in its history, a review 
of which is the object of this article. 

Under the general law of the State, 
it became an incorporated village in 
1867. The two school districts, most- 
ly in the limits of the village, in 1870, 
took measures to organize 

A GRADED SCHOOL 

district. A commodious brick building 
in a central position with ample grounds 
for school purposes, was erected in 
1871, at an expense of about ^1*2.000. 
It has had the efficient support of the 
citizens in the supply of teachers &c., 
and has furnished an excellent school 
for all within the district, and the high- 
er grade has been patronized more or 
less bv scholars from neighboring dis- 
Itricts. About ten years since a contig- 
uous district in the town of Shaftsba-' 



48 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



THE CATHOLIC SOCIETY 

who iu 1874, under the pastoral care 
of Rev. Father O'Dwj^er, remodelled 
and enlarged it, making an attractive 
and commodious churcli where services 
are regularly held. Father Prevost is 
the present officating clergyman. 

THE PARK RESIDENCE. 

T. W. Park, P^sq., \7ho died in Dec. 
1882, to whom North Bennington, and 
in fact the whole town, is indebted for 
much of its prospeiity, built about the 
year 1865, a fine residence which he 
occupied during the warm and summer 
months, on the farm formerly owned 
by and upon vs^hich his father-in-law. 
Gov. Hiland Hall was born. It is now 
the summer residence of Gen. J. G. 
McCullougli, who married his eldest 
daughter. 

To give the needed space for grading 
the grounds of his residence, 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 

was moved by Mr. Park to a more de- 
sirable location several rods, north, 
where it was enlarged and neatly fitted 
up, Avhich with other recent improve- 
ments, renders it a very pleasant and 
inviting house of worship. The first 
house was dedicated, Dec. 31, 1845, 
and the first pastor was Rev. Justin A. 
Smith. The present pastor is Rev. 
George Shepai-d. One clerk, Wm, E. 
Hawks, has served the church since its 
establishment, and he is also the pres- 
ent senior deacon. 

THE CONGRECATIONAI, CHLRCII. 

The founding of a Congregational 
church here was the outgrow^th of a 
Sunday school, held for a year or more 
in the mill store in the south part of 
the village. In May 1808, the church 
was organized of members from the 
Bennington and Bennington Centre 



churches, who had either moved into 
the village or were living near it, with 
two others on profession of faith. From 
this time regular services were held in 
Bank hall and the Sabbath school was 
discontinued at the mill. The first 
minister was 

REV. LKAVITT BARTLETT 

of Coventry, who remained one year.- 
In October 1869, 

REV. H. C, WESTON 

of Charleston, Mass. was ordained as 
pastor, he having been called by the 
church while yet at the Theological 
Semina'-y at Andover. During his 
pastorate, a church of brick was erect- 
ed, of modern style and costing about 
$15,000. 

KEV. I.. C. PARTRinOE 

was called in April 1875, and com- 
menced his ministry, the first sabbath 
in May. He finished his labors in Oc- 
tober 1885. 

REV. OEO. K. HEWITT 

was installed as pastor, in June 1886. 

THE BANK. 

Mr. Park established a National 
Bank in 1864, with a capital of half a 
million, which has always been a well 
paying institution, but its stock has 
lately been reduced to $ 150.000, — 
which is sufHcieut for the accommoda- 
tion of business in this vicinity. The 
bank building i.s of brick, the second 
story being used as a village hall. 

THE DEPOT. 

During the year 1881, a large and 
convenient depot was built through the 
generosity of Mr. Park, the principle 
owner of the Bennington and Rutland 
rad-road which receives the attention 
and commendation of travelers who 
may stop for a short or longer time at 



BENNINGTON. 



49 



the station, as well as the admiration 
of the citizens generall3\ 

COTTON FACrolJIES. 

The two cotton factoi'ies have been 
eularged. and unto the water power, 
the actual quautit}' of water having 
decreased as in many other localities, 
steam has been supplemented so that 
by the greater retention of the water 
and its economical use, their capacity 
has been more than doubled, and there 
has until recently been about 80.000 
yards of print cloth made per week.* 

PAl'ER-MIIX. 

The capacity of the paper-mill jiOw 
owned by tlie Stark Paper Company, 
which company also has a mill at state 
line in the edge of Shaftsbury, has been 
inci'eased .so that as against three to 
four tons of paper, weekly in 1861, it 
turns out ten to twelve tons per week. 
Chas. E. Welling, Escp is the principal 
stockholder in the company, and both 
mills when running make from 20 to 26 
tons of jiaper per week. 

(;lass (;i!iNniN<;, — stkkkoscopks. 

Within a few years the grinding of 
glass by water power for lenses, and 
the manufacture of stereoscopes has 
been carried on iiere quite extensively, 
the two shops employing from 12 to 15 
hands. Three years since a large facto- 
ry for glass grinding and polishing, and 
the making of stereoscopes, work boxes, 
writing desks, ttc, was built by H. C. 
White, upon a water power about a 
mile south of the village, where from 
20 to 2o hands are given employment, 
and the manufactures of their differ- 
ent shops are shipped far and near 

*Tlu.' Vermont mills, only, are tjemtc <.>i)erat- 
ert at present, and are manufacturing yarn, 
■which is sold and shippe<l for use in other 
parts of the country. 



throughout this country and many or- 
ders have been sent to Australia, South 
Africa and other foreign comitries. 

KUBBEK TABLICTS. 

The making of rubber tablets Ijy H. 
T. Cushman is a growing interest and 
his contracts in supplying the Dixon 
Crucible and Pencil Co. of Jersey City 
Avith their large line of ink and rubber 
erasures which are sold all over the 
country, proves them of the best quali- 
ty, as no other on the market can com- 
pete with those made by the Faber 
company. Otlier novelties of small 

wood work are also maudfacturcd here. 

THE LOCK-rC. 

A good and stiihcient Lock-up, of 
stone, of convenient size, with two 
cells opening into the front room, is 
centrally located, and is considered by 
law-abiding citizens as a good invest- 
ment It is undoubtedly a tei'ror to evil 
doers and has its influence to deter from 
lawlessness. 

THE I.AUIES J.IBUAUV. 

The ladies established a library in 
1877, by subscription and the donation 
of books by interested citiztiiis. which 
has been maintained with interest to 
the present time. The organization 
took the name of -'Ladies Circulating- 
Library Association," with an annual 
membership fee of '^l, and has a cata- 
logue of about 250 volumes. 

THE BURNING OF THE BUUGESS BKIOGE, 

spanning the Waloomsac river. 500 ft. 
long and about 40 ft. high on the Troy 
and Boston K. R. two miles west, on 
Thursday, Oct. 15, 1885, resulted in 
the death of three citizens of this vill- 
age. The fire engine was taken to the 
bridge and in trying to pass under the 
east end, the highway running under it, 
the bridge fell and killed and burned 



50 



VERMONT HISTRICAL MAGAZINE. 



two, and fatally burned the third. 

There has been no calamity in this 
neighborhood so appalling and giving 
such a shock to the whole community 
for miles around for many years, if in- 
deed, ever. 

A large fire occurred a year since, 
which destro3'ed much of the business 
portion of the village and from the ef- 
fects of which the business of the place 
has not, as yet, entirely recovered. 



Bennington Centkk Village. 

Bennington Centre has somewhat 
diminishi^d in population in the last 
two decades, 'numbering noAV about 
200 inhabitants. 

The building of brick, with the his- 
toric name of "State Arms House" so 
long kept as a tavern, and wliere the 
State Militia were annually called for 
June training upon the Upper Hill, 
which lias for many years been occu- 
pied as a residence, is to be taken down 
to open the grounds contiguous to tlie 
Battle Monument. 

The Walloomsac House, formerly a 
'Hotel' and celebrated as an' Inn' in days 
when, the large travel between Albany 
and Troy across the mountain to Brat- 
tleboro and the East was done by stages ; 
was kept for years as a boarding house 
through the summer months. It is now 
closed, though it is hoped only for a 
limited time. 

There is here a general countiT store 
in which is located the post-oifice. and 
also, another store where groceries and 
hardware are kept. 

TFE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHIKC:II. 

The old First Congregational Churcli 
of Bennington is still energetically and 
prosperously maintained. The -pres- 



ent pastor. Rev. Isaac Jennings* has 
officiated as such since June 1853, — a 
long pastorate, and one productive of 
much good, and has been a continual 
pleasure to both pastor and people. — 
The Church is remembered by many 
who in the activities of life and the pur- 
suit of business, have removed to other 
parts of the town, or established homes 
beyond the borders of the State. 

After the burning of the Court House 
in l<sGi», the descision to build the new 
one at Bennington, one mile east, was 
not unexpected, as the County would 
be better accommodated. 

There are quite a number of summer 
residences, some quite palatial, in or 
near the village, built by business men 
of Troy or New York, some of whom 
are the descendants of old residents. 

A VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY 

has been lately organized here, M'hich 
augurs still greater efforts in beautify- 
ing the now pleasant village, as well as 
the care of the cemetery of this i 
tc»ric place. 

On the brow of the hill at the nortli 
end of the village was situated the 

CONTINENTAL STORE HOUSE, 

which General Burgoyne Avith a detach- 
ment under Col. Baume was longing to 
capture on the morning of the 16th of 
Aug. 1777, and it is near this very spot 
that the Bennington Battle Monument 
is being erected. 

On the eastern slope and overlooking 
the larger village of Bennington is tlie 
Roman Catholic church of stone. 

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES. 

with odjoining lands upon which are a 
fine residence for the parish priest and 
Catholic school and convent ; but a proj- 
ect is now on foot to remove the church 

*Rev. I)r .Jennings died Aug. i'>, 18S7. 



BENNINGTON. 

to Bennington as more convenient for 
the larger portion of the congregation. 

The Soldiers' Home. ' 

liY IIENKY 1). HAIX, ESQ. 

The patriotism of the people of 
Vermont did not die out with the 
termination of the rebellion. It has 
since shown itself in s^^mpathy for 
the soldier and his family in many 
ways ; often in acts of kindness in a 
more tangible form than merely the 
saying "be ye warmed and filled, de- 
part in peace," as well as in substantial 
encouragement in carrying on their G. 
A. R. organizations in which there is 
so much interest, and which have been 
of such great assistance to many of 
their comrades. It has now selected a 
way of showing its interest more fit- 
tingly and systematically, in the es- 
tablishment of a Soldiers' Home for 



51 



It is beautifully situated on the north 
side of the Village of Bennington, 
about one half mde from the Court 
House and Post office, and in sight of 
the gi'oundupon which the Battle Mon- 
ument is being erected. The premises 
had been purchased by the late Hon. 
T. W. Park with the idea of making 
it a "Home for children and old la- 
dies," by setting apart a sufficient en- 
dowment fund for the necessarj^ ex- 
penses, but whose sudden death occur- 
red before the consummation of his 
most cherished plans, though he pro- 
cured the act of incorporation to be 
passed by the legislature for carrying 
out this purpose, with the above title a 
few months before his death.* The 
home had been used for farming pur- 
poses, and in the summer for the ac- 
commodation of "fresh air children" 
from New York mitil it was made over 



"deserving soldiers and sailors and such \ to the State. (* 1 8.52,— page 40. ) 
of their families as the trustees may j Connected with, the i:.stitution are 
deem proper;"— thus giving a practical | ^^^^^^^ .^OO acres of arable land with a 
recooiiitiou of the debt of oblifration to 



those now living, who with the great 
number that gave up their lives, are 
deserving of lasting gratitude. 

The act of incorporation for an insti- 
tution of this kind was approved with 
permission to hold property obtained 
by gift, parohase or otherwise to the 
amount of $200,000, Nov. 24, 1884, 
and an appropriation c»f $10,000 was 
made for the \ise of such home b^' the 
same legislature. 

A committee was aj)i)()inted to select 
a suitable place and propositions were 
made by towns competing for its loca- 
tion, in dfferent parts of the State, but 
the offer of the "Trenor Park Home 
for Destitute Children and Women" — 
for this i)urposc was accepted and the 
property made over to the State in the 
wintei- of 1880 and 7. 



main building well and permanently 
built 50x45 feet, three stories high, 
including the attic which is high and 
completely finished, with ells and other 
necessary additions. Ii was construct- 
ed with the modern improvements and 
the s^'stera of sewerage is most perfect . 
The barns and out-buildings ai-e large 
and commodious, having been built with 
wise reference to fitness and conveni- 
ence. The fountain, which sends a 
stream of water into the air 198. feet, 
is supplied by springs from the mount- 
ain, with a fall of more than 300 feet 
and the grove containing a beautiful 
fish-pond with carnage drives through 
it adds greatly to the beauty of the level 
acres, used for meadow and planting 
land which adjoin it. 

The Bennington Banner of August 
IHtli and 2oth savs : 



52 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



"It was fortunate indeed that the 
muster of State troops and the laying 
of the corner stone of the monument 
took place in such close proximity to 
the Home. These events gave op])Ortu- 
nity to the thousands of patriotic peo- 
ple visiting the town to also inspect the 
Home, the very valuable property and 
its vast and beautiful surroundings — 
Few people it is to be presumed, went 
to Bennington for the purpose of visit- 
ing the Home, but when there, few 
went away without improving their op- 
portunity. Exclamations of favorable 
surprise were upon every lip. 

"The present condition and future 
prospects of the Home are all that could 
be desired, and all can join in express. 
ing the opinion that th« institution is an 
honor to the State." 

"The Home will be filled gradually 
to its capacity as fast as the same can 
be done judiciously, regard being fii-st 
had to relieve the tgwns from persons 
chargeable upon them." 

"Considerable has been written and 
said concerning- the establishment of 
the Home at Bennington, and of the 
extent of the property and its many 
conveienences, bui to be able to under- 
stand the whole nothing can take the 
place of personal observation. The 
property was formerly the palatial res- 
idence of Mr. Seth B. Hunt, a pros- 
perous Bennington manufacturer, who 
had spared no expense to improve, 
beautify and adorn it. 

''the soldiers' home delivered. 

At n o'clock, Aug. 16th the for- 
malities atrending the dedication of tlie 
Vermont Soldiers' Home took place. 

The Govenors of Vermont, New 
Hampshire and Massachusetts, and 
most of the military geusts, together 
with the militia officers and many, old 



soldiers assembled at the Soldiers' 
Home, where after music. Gen, Wm. 
"Wells, chairman of the board of trus- 
tees, called the assemblage to order and 
introduced Col. Z. M. Mansur, who in 
behalf of the board, addressed Gove- 
nor Ormsbee, and formally delivered 
the property to the State of Vermont. 
He gave a history of its acquisition 
and adaptation and bespoke for it the 
protecting care of the State. 

Govenor Ormsbee accepted for the 
State the noble gift from the heirs of the 
late Hon. T. W. Park and the work of 
the trustees in expending upon it the 
State's appropriation, and said that so 
far as his influence could go, it svould 
be given to promote a constant interest 
in the grateful benevolence thus entered 
upon. 

Senator Edmunds was then called 
out . . . He praised the site audits beau- 
tiful surroundings and expressed his 
pleasure that Vermont had provided a 
home for the increasing number of her 
gallant but unfotunate sons who helped 
to save the country in its hour of peril 
and are now with the advance of years 
finding themselves unable to battle with 
the hardships of life. He congratulated 
the veterans and the State upon the 
good fortune and good management 
which had attended the founding of the 
Home and hoped the State would make 
its capacity equal to the needs that 
may arise. 

Ex Govenor Pingree followed him 
and spoke of the lively appreciation 
that lo3^al Vermont has always had of 
her heroes. She recognizes, but for 
them, we should not to-day have a great 
and free counti y that is the pride and 
praise of all people. To them the peo- 
ple owe a debt that never can be paid ; 
and the least that the public can do is to 



BENNINGTON. 



53 



see that their sufferings are made as 
liglit as possible. This ended the 
speaking, but in conversation, Govs. 
Ames and Sawyer spoke of the beauty 
of the Home and the remarkable econo- 
my with which it had been secured and 
adapted. 

It was learned from the trustees that 
about 50 applications have been made 
for admission to it, but it will accom- 
date only 38 residents, and the next 
legislature will have to be asked for an 
appropriation for additional quarters. 

The A'eterans and the trustees spoke 
with eqnal praise of Superintendent 
and Mrs. Coffey." 

The officers of the Home are Wm. 
Wells of Burlington, president; P. P. 
Pitkin of Montpelier, treasurer; C. C. 
Kinsman of Rutland, secretarj' ; and 
Ca])t. R. J. Coffey, surperintendent. 

It was prepared for inmates in the 
spring of 1887, and there were on its 
delivery, as above, to the State, fifteen 
veterans availing themselves of its 
comforts and privileges. 

THIC NAMES OF THE FIRST FIFTEEN : 

George E. Wood, Co. E., 2d Reg. 
age 60, residence Randolph, admitted. 
May 18, 1887. 

Hobart J. Marr, Co. I, 13th Reg., 
age 43, residence Bratttleboro, admit- 
ted, May 23, 1887. 

George C. Chase, Co. E., 3d Reg., 
age 65, residence Montpelier, admited 
May 24, 1887, 

Increase B. Whitney, Co. A., 4th Reg. 
age t^9- residence Readsboro, admitted 
May 25, 1887. 

William Mattison. Co. I., 2d Reg., 
age 66, residence Shaftsbury, admit- 
ted. May 26, 1887. 

John F. Colby, Co. H., 4th Reg. 
age 72, residence Danville, admitted 
May 27, 1887. 



Chester Derby, Co. A., 7th Reg., 

age 66, residence Burlington, admitted 
June 9th, 1887. 

Isaac Porter, Co. F., 14th Regiment, 
age 54, residence, Danby, admitted 
June 10.1887. 

Wm. M. Deparr,. Co. B., 1st Cav. 
age 55, residence Swanton, admitted, 
June 23, 1887. 

Alphonzo Chapleau, Co. C. 2d Reg., 
age 44, residence Burlington, admitted 
July 18, 1887. 

Joseph Demar, Co. E., 5th Reg., 
age 48, residence Manchester, admitted 
July 20, 1887. 

Thomas O'Brien, Co. M., 1st Cav., 
age 55, residence Barre, admitted, 
July 21, 1887. 

Josiah Haley, Co. A., 14th Regiment, 
age 73, residence Pownal, admitted, 
Aug. 1, 1887. 

Lewis N. Beemau, Co. I, 6th Reg., 
age 49, residence Swanton, admitted, 
Aug. 16, 1887. 

There is certainly just reason for satis- 
faction and pride on the part of the State 
and gratulation to those who are enjoy- 
ing and the greater number who may 
enjo3' in the future, the benefits of this 
humane institution, founded in patriot- 
ism and affection. 

THE SOLDIER DEAD 
In Bennington Cemetery. 
Capt. W. H. Cady and privates, 
Nelson C. Bradford, Frederick Hupf, 
Charles C. Harris, Henry M. Harris, 
Calvin Hathaway, George B. Plumb, 
Co. A. 2d Vt. Vols. ; Private, Charles 
Willis, Co. C. 2d Vt. Vol.— Col. John 
E. Pratt, Maj. J. H. Cushman 4th Vt. 
Vols.; Sergts. Wm. A. Comar, Alonzo 
Bigelow, privates Henry G. Loveland, 
George H. Lillie, I. N. Morton, H. N. 
Woodworth, Lyman Greeuslet, Co. A 
4th Vt. Vols. ; Priv. O. B. Sprague. Co. 



54 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



E. 10th Vt. Vol.— Lieut. E. N. Thay el- 
and privates Charles Godfrey, Reuben 
Benjamin, George Fradenburg, Co. A 
14th Vt. Vol. Private Foster S. Prouty 
Co. H. 14th Vt. Vol.— Sergeant &. B. 
Norton, Priv. Albert L Merchant, Co. 

F. 17th Vt. Vol.— Private Charles M. 
Norton, 1st Vt. Battery.— Private A. 
H. Norton, nn assigned recruit. — Priv. 
Oscar L. Gates, Com. Dep'tof Ohio. — 
Privs. Henry Moulds, Albert Kimball, 
2d Vt. Battery.— Priv. N. H. Slade. 
Co. G. 1st N.H. Cavalry.— Priv. Frank 
V. Blake, 49 Mass. Vol.— Priv. James 
Nelson, U. S. Navy— Sergt. Wm. H. 
Morse, Co. I, 57th N. Y. Vol.— Priv. 
S. Maurer, Co. A, 149th N. Y. Vol.— 
Priv. Geo. B. Whitney. Mass. Vol. — 
Private John Walsh, Co. A, 14th Vt.— 

Private Edward Norton, 2d Vt. Band. 
Bugler G. W. Semple, (buried at Ware- 
house Point, Ct.) Ira Harris, Cavalry. 
Priv. Olney Fuller, buried at Hoosick 
Falls, N. Y., Co. C 169th N. Y. Vol.— 
Privates C. E. Morse, Co. E, 10th Vt. 
Charles Phillips and Fred. A. Wilder. 

In the Catholic Cemetery. 
Privates: Charles Wood, U. S. N.— 
John Grace, Michael W., Murphy, 2d 
Vt. Battery ; Edward Grace, Ned 
Griflfin, John Dygnam, 2d, Co. A, 2d 
Vt. Vol. ; John Dyiigam, 1st, Michael 
Carrigan, Co. A, 14th Vt. Vol. ; Rich- 
ard Donovan, Michael Ryan, Patrick 
Howe, Vt. Vols. ; T. Dempsey (buried 
at Albany, N. Y.,) Co. A, 2d Vt. Vol. 
Edward Gnnshannon. 1st Vt. Batterj'. 

In Bennington Centre Ce:metery. 
Captain Frank^Ray, Company G 
1st Vermont Cavalry — privates Daniel 
M. Russell, E. A, Armstrong, Co. G 1st 
Vt. Cav. — Col. Newton Stone and priv- 
ates PMward A. Seldon, John Kehoe, 
B. S. Potter, Co. A, 2d A't. Vols.— 
Privates Bradford S. Downs, Wallace 



B. Cutting, Co. A, 4th Vt. Vols; Priv- 
ate JohnH. Crosier, Co. C, 4th Vt.Vol. 
Privates Fred Ray, M. J. Allen, Frank 
Fairbrothers, James Atwood, Co. A. 
14th Vt. Vols. ; Private Edw'd Miller, 
Co. H. 1 4th Vt. Vol.— Capi. George 
Hicks, Co. F, 17th Vt, Vol.— Private 
Edwin Joy, 1st Vt. Battery — Privates 
Leander G. Northrop, Surgeon R. H. 
Green. U. S. Navy ; Colonel Henry R. 
Seldon, U. S. Army. — Private James 
H. Cowden, 37th Mass. Vol. — Private 
Charles Dietel, Co. G. 35tli N. Y.— 
Colonel George D. Harrington. 
In the North Bennington Cemetery. 
Linus M. Towsley, Co. A, 2d Vt. — 
John Minot, Adelbert A. Towsley, Co. 
xi, 4th Vt — Jesse Bates, 2d Vt. Batte- 
ry ;—N. BruflTee, N. Y. Battery; — 
Dennis Boweu, Co. E, 21st N. Y. Cav. 
Lieut. Thos. Hall, 2d N. Y. Vet. Cav. 
George Coon, Co. K. 30th N. Y. Vol. ; 
Thomas Lyons, Mass. Vol. 

In Hinsdville Cemetery. 
Privates A. P. Howard, G. L Edgertou, 
Henry Holmes, Chas. Stewart, Dwight 
Riddle, 1st Vt. Bat'y; Lyman Russell, 
Co. G. 1st Vt. Cavalry; Private Wales 
Puffer, 169thN. Y. 

In Chapel Cemetery. 
Privates Abel Babcock, Henry Warn, 
2d Vt. Batteiy ; Jesse Potter, 125th N. 

Y. ; Parley Hill, DoAvns. 

In Towsley Cejmetery. 
Albert Wallius, Co. A, 14th Vt. 
MEMORIAL ORATORS : 
Whc> have delivered Addresses at 
Benuiugtttn on "Decoration Y>iiy." 
1870: Major N. B. Hall; 
1871: Rev. C. H. Hubbard; 
1877: Rev. G. G. Jones ; 
1878: Hon. W. C. Dunton ; 
1880: Rev. R.M.Luther: 
1881 : M. D. Jump; 



BENNINGTON. 



1883: 


Sergt. TVarren Oibbs. 


1884: 


Rev. W. W Foster, Jr. 


1885: 


Rev. S.M. Williams; 


1880 


Gen. Azel Ames; 


1887: 


Rev. Hem'v (Tordon. 



Bennington Battlk IMonument. 
bv henry d. hall esq. 

[With selections from Gov. Hall's 
published papers and the Bennington 
Banner.] 

The importance of the Battle of 
Bennington as the pivotal event upon 
which the tide of arms turned in the 
Revolutionary struggle between the 
Colonies and the Mother Country', has 
become more and more apparent as the 
years have rolled by . The recurring an- 
niversary has been celebrated and the 
deeds of its actors have been rehears- 
ed t(> the multitudes gathering to per- 
petuate the day, by the patriot orator 
and statesman in language both instruct- 
ing and inspiring. In addition to its 
observance as specially for patriotic 
commemoration of the battle, it has 
been used as the day for political con- 
ventions by the different parties in their 
strife for governmental control, as well 
as for religious, temperance and other 
commendable purposes, and the patri- 
otism exhibited on the memorable 16th 
of August 1777, has been held up by 
each as worthy the imitation of every 
one, and a share in it as the heirloom 
of all lovers of the glorious instiutions 
of our country. The celebrating of the 
one hundredth anniversary of the battle 
had been advocated for years and as 
early as August 1875, the veterans of 
the late rebellion at a reunion at Brat- 
tleboro, among them, Col. J. H. Wal- 
bridge, "voted to adjourn to meet in 
Bennington during the week of August 
1877." Maj. J. H. Cushman "in a 
sj)eech at the Officers Reunion at 8t 



Albans, October 14th of the same year, 
warml}^ endorsed the project." This 
action with the interest developed by 
agitation of the subject by citizens of 
Bennington and vicinity soon awaken- 
ed such enthusiasm with reference to 
it, that in October a call was made in 
a village paper for a meeting for the 
purpose "of forming a 

TOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

to aid in preparing for the centennial 
anniversary of the Battle of Benning- 
ton." It was heartily responded to 
and the "Bennington Historical Socie- 
ty" formed with the following list of 
officers : 

"The president was Hon. Hiland 
Hall. Among the Vice presidents were 
the Rev. Isaac Jennings, Seth B. Hunt, 
Trenor W. Park. Rev. C. H. Hubbard, 

A. B. Gardner, Heniy G. Root, Dr. 
Benj. F. Morgan, Thos. White, Henry 
W. Putnam, Hiram Bingham, H. E. 
Bradford and David F. Squires. The 
corresponding secretar}' was Chas. M. 
Bliss ; the recording secretary, Merritt 

B. Morgan and the treasurer, Daniel 
McEown. The Board of Directors were 
A. B, Valentine, A. Robinson, Jas. H. 
Walbridge, C.E. Dewey, Ew'd Kings- 
ley, A. J. Mattison, J. V. D. S. Mer- 
rill, C. R. Sanford, H. T. Cushman, 
Asapah P. Childs, Geo. A. Wood, Oliu 
Scott, J. Halsey Cushman, George W. 
Robinson, Milo C. Huliog, L. P. Nor- 
ton, A. C. Hubbell, E. O. Cole, Ed. S. 
Chandler, L. F. Abbott, William E. 
Hawks, 'id, O. D. Adams and the pres- 
ident of the society, its past presidents, 
secretaries and the chairman of all its 
c<mimittes. 

The active work of preparation for 
the celebration and the monument now 
commenced in earnest. During the 
winter of 1875 — fi this board of dii-ec- 



56 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



tors, such members as especially intere- 
est^-d themselves in the work and were 
in the town during the winter, held 
weekly meetings in the Court House 
at Bennington. The president of the 
society, the even then venerable Gov. 
Hall, was never present, but he was 
constantly kept informed of the pro- 
ceedings ; and in consequence he gave 
the board his most heartj^ support. — 
Several of the vice-presidents aod other 
citizens were also deeply interested in 
the work." 

At this time the plans of the society 
were formed and an interest was soon 
manifested through the state and in the 
states of New Hampshire and Massa- 
chusetts, which was an earnest of ex- 
tended effort to induce the several states 
as also the general Congress to make 
appropriations for defraying the ex. 
pense of erecting a suitable monument, 
supplimental to what could be raised by 
private subscriptions. C. M. Bliss and 
G. W. Robinson of the society were 
most active in their exertions in obtain- 
ing subscriptions, and in their personal 
efforts to further the project in other 
ways, especiall}' Mr. Bliss in his attend- 
ance upon the different legislatures and 
at the Capital at Washington. 

By an act of the Vermont Legisla- 
ture approved November, 28, 1876. 
The Bennington Battle Monument As- 
sociation was incorporated ''for the 
purpose of erecting and maintaining a 
suitable monument commemorative of 
the achievements of Gen. John Stark 
and the patriot soldiers of Vermont, 
New Hampshu'e and Massachusetts at 
the decisive battle "fought on the 16th 
of August 1777." 

By the same act an appropriation of 
$15,000 was made payable when full 
proof could be made that $5,000 had 



been raised by the Association and was 
ready for the purpose. This sum was 
raised in 1880 and paid in to the State 
treasury, which with the 115.000 paid 
by the State, was set apart as a fund 
of the Association in the keeping of 
the State. 

In 1877 the State of Massachusetts 
appropriated $7,000 in aid of the 
monument. This appropriation lapsed 
under the general law of the State and 
in 1886 it was renewed and increased 
to 110.000. To prevent further lapse 
it was funded, the Association adding 
$5,000, which with the $ 1 000 consti- 
tuted the Bennington Monument fund 
of Massachusetts of 1 15. 000. 

In 1777, the State of New Hamp- 
shire appropriated 15.000 in aid of the 
monument. 

In Februar}' 1881. Congress appro- 
priated $40,000 on conditions similar 
to those of thf States." 

The first meeting of the Association 
was held on the 2d Wednesday in Jan- 
uary 1877, and the committee on the 
nomination of officers reported as such: 
"President, Hon. Horace Fairbanks 
of St. Johnsbur^' , vice-prssident, Hon. 
Hilaud Hall of Bennington, secretary, 
Charles M. Bliss of Bennington, assist- 
ant sec, John T. Shurtleff of Benning- 
ton, treasurer, Milo C. Huling of North 
Bennington," who were duly elected. 

At subsequent meetings, by-laws 
were adopted and other important busi- 
ness transacted ; and at another ad- 
journed meeting, Jan. 2o, the following 
board of directors were elected by bal- 
lot : A. B. Gardner, A. B. Valentine, 
Olin Scott, Charles E. Dewey and A. 
P. Childs. 

The work of the Association was for 
the year 1 877, principally to conduct the 
Celebration of the week of the 16th of 



BENNINGTON. 



57 



August that year. Notwithstanding the 
fact that a comniission was created, the 
responsibility for the celebration rested 
by law, on the Association. The Asso- 

»ciation,aridnot the Commission, invit- 
ed all the geusts, and it looked after 
the exercises of the special two days 
<»elebration, with the care of which it 
was charged by its charter. The com- 
mission appointed an executive commit- 
tee consisting of Messrs Root, Valen- 
tine, Huling, Page and Geo. A. Mer- 
rill of Rutland. The Association also 
<ipp(iinted a committee consisting of 
Charles M. Bliss, Isaac Jennings and 
A. B. Gardner to which E. J. Phelps, 
w'len he was elected the president of 
the Commission was added, to have 
charge of the literary exercises of the 
two days." 

This observance of the Centennial 
called together thousands from the 
country, near and remote, as citizens 
or officials ; various organizations, both 
<;ivil and military ; his Excellancy the 
President, R. B. Hayes and members 
■of his Cabinet; the Govenors of sever- 
al States, and other distiuguisl.ed per- 
sonages from this and (>ther States. 

"An account of the proceedings of 
the week of the Centennial is given in 
:i semi official work by the Association, 
undone by C. S. Forbes of St. Albans, 
both ot which have been published. — 

• The whole expense of the celebration 
was over Si 4.000." It was estimated 
that over thirty thousand persons were 
in attendance on anniversary day. 
Annual and special meetings of the 
Association were held and important 
business transacted; but one subject of 
commanding interest held its place — 
that of securing a suitable design for 
the monument. 



design of Prof. Weir was by the com- 
mittee of design reccommended to the 
board. 

The board of diiectors at this time 
were Hon. Geo. D. Robinson, gove- 
nor of Massachusetts; Hon. Samuel 
W. Hall, govenor of New Hampshire, 
Hon. Samuel E. Pingree, govenor of 
Vermont, ex-officio members of the 
board, and Hon. Benj. F. Prescott, 
ex-govenor of New Hampshire; Hon. 
Edward J. Phelps, L.L. D., professor 
of law in Yale college ; Gen. John G. 
McCuUough, Hon. Henry G. Root, 
Maj. A. B. Valentine, Samuel B. San- 
ford, Esq., and Rev. Isaac Jennings. 

The committee of design at this time 
were Hon. BL J. Phelps, soon after ap- 
pointed our minister to England, chair- 
man; Hon, Alexander H. Rice, L.h. 
D., ex-governor of Massachusetts; 
Hon. Benj, F. Prescott, ex-governor 
of New Hampshire and president of 
the Association. The author of the de- 
sign adopted, John F. Weir, professor 
of painting and design in Yale college, 
was present at the above meeting — in 
New York, Dec. 2, 1884, the report of 
the committee (>f design was accepted, 
and a resolution was passed unanimous- 
ly adopting said design, and also in ac- 
coi dance with the resohition every mem- 
ber of the board, including the Gov- 
ernors of Massachusetts, New Hamp- 
shire and Vermont, ex-officio members, 
gave their individual vote in writing, 
and within the time that the meeting 
was kept open for the purpose, for the 
Weir design." 

This design, whith was mainly 
sculptural and of small dimensions 
was a great disappointment to the 
people of Bennington who had contem- 
plated the erection of a structure of 



On Dec. 2. 1884, at a meeting of the ! magnitude and grandeur properly typi- 
■directors, held in New York Cit3% the ' fying the historical importance of the 



58 



THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Bennington victory which in accord- 
ance with the historian Bancroft they 
had always feh to have been "one of 
the most briUiaut and eventful of the 
war" of the Revolution. Ihe design 
consisted of five life like bronze stat- 
ues, in Revolutionary costume, the 
commanding figui'e 15 feet in height, 
standing on the top of a rough gran- 
ite shaft 20 feet square at the base and 
45 feet high, the four other figures be- 
ing at the corners of the base 8 feet iu 
height. They accordingly looked upon 
the proposed structure as tending to 
degrade rather than honor their patri- 
otic ancestoi's who had helped to achieve 
the victory. 

The opposition to the design of the 
directors was so strongly manifested at 
the January meeting, 1885, that the 
qnestion of its adoption was not moved 
and its consideration was postponed to 
the semi animal meeting to be held the 
following August. Gov. Hall who was 
spending the winter in Springfield and 
unable to attend the meeting had writ- 
ten a spirited letter to the treasurer of 
the Association to be read in the meet- 
ing, briefly, but earnestly, protesting 
against the adoption of the design. It 
was not found necessary to use the let- 
ter at the meeting, but it was publish- 
ed the next day in the Bennington Ban- 
ner and extensivel^'^ circulated. 

Previous to the August meeting, the 
Bennington Historical Societ}' took 
measures through a committee of its 
members to have a desigi: for a conspic- 
uous monument prepared, and on its 
approval by a larger advisory rommit- 
tee from the stares of Vermont, Msssa-' 
chusetts and New Hampshire to be 
presented to the Association for their 
adoption in lieu of that of the board of 
directors. 



Early in June, Gov. Hall addressed 
an open letter to his fellow members of 
the Association in which he set forth 
his objection atconsiderble length to the 
design, claiming and insisting it was 
not only altogether inappropriate, but 
that it was not in any just sense a com- 
pliance with the terms, or spirit of the 
act of incorporation which declared 
its purpose to be "for erecting and 
maintaining a suitable monument com- 
memorative of the achievements of 
Gen. John Stark and the patriot sol- 
diers of Vermont, New Hampshire 
and Massachusetts at the decisive bat- 
tle of Bennington fought August IGth, 
1777." 

The report of the committee of de- 
sign discarded all existing monuments 
of magnitude and grandeur, both an- 
cient and modern, including those in 
this countr}- of Bunker Hill and Wash- 
ington, as unworthy of being followed, 
assigning as the reason for such con- 
demnation that they were speechless, 
and did not tell any story of the event 
to be commemorated, but left its de- 
scription to be ascertained from some 
other source. 

To overcome this supposed fault the 
committee resorted to an alleged story 
telling power of sculpture in bronze stat- 
ues that the monument might properly 
describe the battle, forgeting or over- 
looking the well known truth that sculp- 
ture had no original power of speech, 
but like painting could illusti'ate and 
emphasize to the eye such facts onlj'^ as 
were already known, and that without 
such previous knowledge sculpture was 
equally dumb with their condemned 
monumental shaft. 

But the artistic language of the pro- 
posed design would be found to give 
no special account of the battle by 



BENNINGTON. 



59 



which it could be distinguished from j the way made clear for the adoption of 



any other Revokitionary engagement. 

None of the sculptured figures be- 
fore mentioned purported to typif}^ any 
of the officers or soldiers engaged in 
the battle. That on the top of the 
monument was not to be a portrait like- 
ness of Gen. Stark, but was only to 
be a t3'pe of "a Revohuionar}' leader," 
the other four figures to use the lan- 
guage of the committee were declared 
' not to be poi'traits of individuals but 
types of the time and tlie event" intend- 
ed to represent "the farmer and the 
artizan turning, from their avocations 
to take up arms to resist invasion, the 
woman of the time sheltering her child 
from the coming storm and the minis- 
ter of religion invoking the divine 
benediction." 

Such a structure might be a fair 
type of what would occur at any active 
resistance to invasion, but it would 
have no special relation to the victory 
of Bennington, and would be just as 
applicable to a dozen other revolution- 
ary enaas^ements. whether small or 



the larger and commanding one coin- 
ciding with the views of Govenor Hall. 
The subject was fully canvassed. Sen- 
ators W.M. P>arts of New York, Jus- 
tin S. Morrill and Hon, E. P. Walton 
of V^ermont and Prof. A. L, Perry of 
Massachusetts with others taking part 
in the discussion ; and the larger design 
reccommended by the committee of 
the Historical Society was adopted Ijy 
unanimous vote. 

The annual meeting was held the fol- 
lowing Jan. 13, (1886)"when the com- 
mittee styled a 'working committee,' 
appointed Aug. 12, 1885, consisting of 
C. M. Bliss, Geo. W Robinson, M. C. 
Huling, John V. Hall and J. T. Shurt- 
leflT was continued with its same duties 
and powers. 

Early in 188G the working committee 
secured the approval of the design by 
the President of the United States and 
at length, subsequent!}'', the payment 
of the appropriation of $40,000 by 
Congress was effected. The moneys 
of the three States, were released on 



gi-eat, successful or othewise as that the basis of the contract with Mr. Ward 
of Bennington. In all of them there [ for a monument 300 feet high. 



would be seen the Revolutionary lead- 
er, the farmer and the artszan turning 
to take up arms, the woman sheltering 
her child and the minister invoking the 



At a special meeting, Aug. 5, 1886 it 
was unanimously "Resolved that the 
monument be located in the centre of 
the highway on the crest of the hill, as 



divine blessing. The design thus being nearly opposite the site of the Conti 



merely a type of an ordinary occur- 
ance in the war of the Revolution, 
could not in any sense be considered 
as commemorative of the achievement 
of Gen. Stark and his patriot soldiers 
at the victory of Bennington. 

At the meeting in August, a very 
large number of the members being 
present the report which had been sub- 
mitted in January reccommending the 
smaller design, was withdrawn, and 



nental store house as practicable." also 
unanimously "Resolved that the work- 
ing committee raised in 1885 be em- 
powered in co-operation with the board 
of dii'ectors to proceed at once to la}^ 
tlie foundation the of monument of the 
design already adopted with full pow- 
er to make contracts and cause the erec- 
tion and completion of the monument." 
At a meeting held Jan. 12, 1887, the 
working committee, at their request, 



GO 



VERMOKT 



were relieved and full powers given the 

board of directors of the Association 
to make contracts and build the monu- 
ment after the design approved by the 
Association, and to transact all business 
]'elatin<2: to matters of the Association 



HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 

invitation to the Grand Lodge of Free 
andacceptedMasonsof Vermont to par. 
ticipatein the laying of the corner stone 
of the monument." The invitation was 
accepted b}'^ the Grand Lodge aivd due 
notice given the board of directors. 
On June loth 1887, a formal resolution 



At a meeting held b}' the directors, 
April 12, J. Y. Hall, president pro tern I was passed '-inviting the Hon. Benj F. 
and Rev. Isaac Jennings, secretary, a 1 Prescott, Ex-Govenor of New Hamp- 



buiiding committee consisting of H. G. 
Root, A. B. Valentine, and Milo C. 
Huling was appointed, also a finance 
committee, viz : John G. McCullough, 
John V. Hall, and J. T. Shurtleff. 

The work of these committees was now 
pushed forward with vigor, and soon a 
contract was made with Contractor W. 
H.Ward of Lowell, Mass. for building 
"a monument not less than 300 feet 
high and substantially in accordance 
with the 'Rinn plan' at a cost of 
$75,000." 

By an act of the legislature in 1886, 
commissioners were appointed to se- 
cure the site selected for the monument 
with proper surroundings by the pur- 
chase of lands and the remoA^al of build- 
ings, and in section 6; a sum not to ex- 
ceed $10,000 was appropriated for this 
purpose. The report of the commission 
states that "there is no question but that 

the acqusition of a part, or all thereof 

,■ ju An \ ■ i„o,-..,i 1^ " Ur,t- ,' .„ 16th, as had also Fuller Battery, Capt 

(le the 40 acres) IS (lesn-able, but o\v- _.„„., ,. ,, . 



shire and President of the Bennington 
Battle Monument Association, to act 
as president of the day on the occasion 
of laying the corner stone ot' the 
monument." 

THE LAYING 

OF THE CORNER 8T0NE of the 

BENNINGTON BATTLE 

MONUMENT. 

Tuesday, August 16th 1887 will 
become historical as the daj"^ on which 
was impressively laid the Corner Stone 
of the towering Monument for the e- 
rection of which so much of thought, 
money and labor had been bestowed 
by those who for 3'ears had this grand 
object in view. 

The First Brigade, Vermont Nation- 
al Guards, Brig. Gen. W. L. Green- 
leaf commanding had been in camp up- 
on the grounds attached to the Soldiers 
Home for several days previous tc» the 



ing to expense only about 12 acres 
were actually reported as now neces- 
sary. 

At a meeting of the board of direc- 
tors of the Association, June 4, 1887, 
it was voted "to invite the citizens of 
Bennington to meet them at Library 
hall and join them in arrangements for 
the celebration of the la3'ing of the 
corner stone of the monument on the 
16th of Angust next.' It was also voted 
"•that the board of directors extend an 



Levi K. Fuller commandiag, and had 
by their daily drill and evolutions call- 
ed out the praises and encomiums of 
hundreds who had from day to day 
come from the town and vicinity to wit- 
ness them. 

We quote from the Bennington 
Banner : 

"The 16th day of August 1777, 1877 
and 1888 mark three important and e- 
veutful epochs in the history of Ben- 
nington. One hundred and ten years 



BENNIN 

ago the victory won for freedom and 
against British oppression by the patri- 
otic Benningtonians under Col. War- 
ner and allies from Massachusetts and 
New Hampshire, all under Gen. John 
Stark, was most potential in turning 
the tide of war in favor of the young 
Republic. The celebration ten years 
ago of the Centennial of the Battle of 
Bennington was a most memorable oc- 
casion. The laying- of the corner stone 
of the Battle Monument to-da;v' has 
also been a notable event. The weather 
was pleasant and fulty 30.000 people 
were in town as spectators of, or par- 
ticipants in, the celebration." 

'•The day was ushered in by the 
ringing of bells and a volley from Ful- 
ler Battery, encamped here. There 
were clouds mingled with the sunshine 
but no rain or other circumstances to 
mar the comfort of the occasion. — 
The incoming trains from all directions 
brought crowds of people into town. 
The Sir Knights in their showy and 
symbolic dress, the visiting militJiry, 
the G. A. R. and the Odd Fellows soon 
made our streets alive with organised 
bodies who were to make up the par- 1 
ade of the afternoon. The various del- 
igations were met at the depots and es- 
corted to their respective headquarters 
which had been provided at the halls 
of the organizations to which each be- 
longed. The Govenors and their staflTs 
were the geustsof the Association and 
were entertained at the Putnam. The 
visiting military companies were the 
geusts of the citizc))s of Bennington. 
They were cordially received and hos- 
pitably entertained. As these all came 
into the town an inkling was obtained 
of what the afternoon's procession 
would be like. The evolutions of the 
Sir Knights, the marching and move- 
ments of the o2d Separate Company 



GTON. ^ 61 

of the New York National Guard, the 
fine appearance of the Berkshire Boys 
(both the cadets and Canton Colfax), to- 
gether with what could be witnessed of 
our own uniformed troops and socie- 
ties, all these seemed to take up the 
attention of the assembled thousands 
and kept them in good nature while 
anticipation was heightened in conse- 
quence. 



govkknor's d.vy. 
At ten o'clock the formalities of 
Govenor's Day in Camp Col. Seth 
Warner occurred. The brigade was re- 
viewed by Govewor Ormsbee. Com- 
mander in Chief. In this pleasant du- 
ty, he was accompanied by Govenors 
Sawyer of New Hampshire and Ames 
of Massachusetts, who had arrived just 
in time to participate. The three Gove- 
nors were attended as the^' inspected 
the Brigade by General Grcenleaf and 
his full staff as well as by their own. — 
This as well as the review took place 
on the parade ground, the point of ob- 
servation of the Govenors and geusts 
being to the east of the Soldiers Home. 
Among those mvited by Govenor 
Ormsbee as geusts (25 in all) were Sen- 
ator Edmunds, Ex-Govenors Holbrook, 
Fairbanks, Barstow and Pingree of 
Vermont, State Treasurer Dubois, Sec- 
retary of State Porter and Com. ¥.. T. 
AVoodward, representing the Govern- 
ment, and several.of our prominent cit- 
izens, members of the Monument As- 
sociation and the Editors of the local 
papers. 

Govenor's Day this year was one of 
great brilliancy, owing not only to the 
fine appearance and discipline of the 
Brigade, but also to the presence of dis- 
tinguished citizens and the overshad- 
owing importance of what was to fol- 
low. The very great improvement in 



62 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



the bearing of the Vermont National 
Guard after a few days in camp was 
never more noticeable than on this oc- 



business on the line of march and 
streets upon which the formations were 
made, being one line of flags and other 



casion. As the troops passed in review decorations. On Pleasant street, the 
the breast of all Vermonters swelled residence of Hon. A, B. Valentine, 



with pride as they heard the compli- 
ments showered upon them b)^ visitors 
from other States. As the Bannei- said 
in the beginning of these historic e- 
vents : "The Green Mountain Boys of 
1887 will take rank with those of 1861 
and 1777, although each must pass in- 
to renowa in their respective spheres." 

THE PROCESSION. 

Precisely at the hour announced the 
grand procession formed. The Troy 
Times special places the number in line 
at 3.500 and the number of Masons in 
town at 1.000. The Chief Marshall, 
Col. Hooker, and Gen. Greenleaf had 
agreed that the head of the column 

" ((;ol. Julius J- Estey, Commanding First Regi. 

Start atone o'clock. Nothing could ment; Maj. George H. Bond, Commanding 



headquarters of Govnor Ormsbee, dis- 
played a large flag tastefully hung in 
festoons. The waving of plumes, the 
flashing of swords, the glitter of shoul- 
der straps and gilt accoutrements pre- 
sented a pleasing spectacle. Time and 
space will not admit of an itemized 
report of the other and elaborate dec- 
orations." 

The Procession : 

Chief Marshal - 

Col. George W. Hooker, and Stall'. 

First Regiment Military Band. 

First Brigade, V. N. G. 

Brig.-Gen. William L, Greenleaf Commanding. 



have been seen in the streets at that 
hour but a dense mass of people and 
mounted aids moving liere and there. 

At camp much the same order of 
things was apparent. Gen. Greenleaf, 
Col. Estey and Maj. Bond were cooly 
issuing their orders and awaiting the 
signal. When however the lines did 
move, the streets were cleared as if by 
magic, and the long and imposing col- 
umn passed in review of thousands lin- 
ing both sides of the streets until the 
site of the monument Avas reached. 
There was no delay or break an}' where 
and the pi'ocession was as well seen 
within a few rods of starting as farther 



Provisional Battallion . 

Grand Army of the Republic. 

Capt. p. T. Blodgett, Department Commander, 

Bennington Battle Monument 

Association and Committee. 

His Excellency Ebenezer J. Ormsbee, 

Governor of Vermont, and Staff. 
Representative of the United States 

Government and Staff. 
Hon. Benjamin F. Prescott, President 

of the Day. 
Hon .John W. Stewart, Orator of the 

Day. 
His Excellency 'charles H. Sawyer, 



down. It is safe to say that no finer line j Govenor of New Hampsliire and Staff 



was ever seen in Vermont. Perhaps, 
there have been larger nrnnbers, at the 
Centennial in 1877, for instance, but 
none more imposing and beautiful. 
The town presented a holyday appear- 
ance, nearly every house and place of 



His Excellency Oliver Ames, Govenor 

of Massachusetts and Staff 

Judges of the Vermont Supreme Court. 

Hon. Hoyt H. Wheeler, United States 

District Judge. 



BENNINGTON, 



63 



Visiting Military Organizations. 
Civil Officers. 
Federal Officers. 
Other Civic Organizations. 

Canton Bennington I. (). O. F. 
Ciipt. Xoniiiin M. I'uftVr, with Invited 
Chevaliers, 
MASOXJC DIVISION. 

Right Worshipful Thomas S. Miller, 
Depnty Grand INIarshall. 
Band. 

Templar P^scort. 

(Taft Cointnaiulcry No. 8, 
Eminent G. S. Maltison, Commander.) 

Master Masons. 

Knights Templar. 
Eminent ,Iolm R. Pillinff, Grand Capt-General. 

Grand Commaiidery of Vermont, 

Knights Templar. 

Right Eminent Deles M. Bacon, 

Grand Commander. 

Right Worshipful Harley G. Sheldon, 

Grand Marshal. 

Grand Lodge of Vermont. 

Most Worshipful "\^'m. Russell Burleigh, 

Grand Master of New Hampshire. 

Most Worshipful Henry Endicott, 

Grand Master of Massachusetts. 

Most Woishipfnl Alfred A. Hall, 

Grand Master of Vermont. 

Fuller Tiattery. 

Capt. Levi K. Fuller, Commanding:. 
PRELIMINARY TO THK CEREMONIES. 

As the Fuller Battery reached Main 
street in Bennington Centre, it dashed 
rapidly np to the site of the old Conti- 
nentinal storehouse where it unlimber- 
ed and fired a salute of thirteen guns, 
which announced the formal opening of 
the corner stoi\e exercises. Seated on 



the speaker's stand around the monu- 
ment were Ex Govenor B. Y. Prescott 
of New Hampshire, President of the 
Bennington Battle Association., Gov. 
Oliver Ames of Massachusetts, Gov. 
C. H. Sawyer of New Hampshire, and 
Gov. E. J. Orinsbcc;, Senator Georire F. 
Pxlmunds, Congressman John W. vStew- 
art, orator of the day, and Congress- 
man William W. Grout. A second 
stand was occupied by the staffs of the 
three govenors and such well- known 
Vermonters as Horace Fairbanks, Ex 
Gov., Samuel E. Pingree, Ex Gov., 
JohnL. Barstow, Ex Gov., Frederick 
Holbrook, Ex Gov., Col. B. B. Small- 
ey. Gen. Wm. Wells, Judge H. H. 
Powers, Judge J, W. Rowell, Colonel 
Franklin Fairbanks, State Treasurer 
Dubois, Secretary of State Porter, Sec- 
retar}' of Finance Page, Gen. P. P. 
Pitkin, Col. John C. Stearns, Hon. 
James K. Batchelder, Gen. T. S. Peck, 
Gen. William H. Gilmoro, Col. Albert 
Clarke, Col. F. S. Stranahan, Col. Wm. 
A. Crombie, Col. D. K. Hall, Col S. M. 
Mansur, Col. R. E. Hathorn. Col. De 
May. Interstate Commissioner, A, F. 
Walker, Hon. Warren Gibbs, Honora- 
ble Daniel Roberts, Hon. B. D. Har- 
ris, Gen. H. K. Ide, and Col. T. C. 
Fletcher. Upon this stand were also 
seated the members of the IMonnraent 
Asso> nation's Board of Directors, the 
Building and special committees. 

The platform occupied by the Grand 
Lodge and Grand C'ommandry was sit- 
uated just south of the corner stone. — 
This stone is 7 feet long, 3 feet wide and 
2 feet 7 inches thick and will weigh 
more thau 5 tons. The receptacle with- 
in it is 2 feet long, 1 foot wide and 8 
inches deep. Within this receptacle was 
placed a copi)er box and in the box 
were placed the articles as read by the 
Grand Secretary and enumerated be- 



64 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



low.-!— Another stand had been erected 
just to the right of the second stand, on 
the south-east corner and upon this the 
monument committee had provided am- 
ple accommodations for the press, the 
First Regiment baud and the vocalists 
of Bennington and Lerkshire men. 

After the discoursing of vocal and 
instrumental music by the singers and 
bands and prayer there followed the 
ceremony in Masonic order, the box 
within it containing the following : 

Holy Bible, Gov. Hall's Early History 
of Vermont, Rev. Isaac Jeimings Me- 
morials of a Century, Rev. Isaac Jen- 
nings' Historical Account relating to 
the Battle Monument, Manuscript copy 
of the contract for the erection of the 
monument; Biographical Ene^'^clopedia 
of the 19th century, \'ermoijt; copies 
Bennington Banner, newspaper ; copies 
Bennington Reformer, newspaper ; oth- 
er Vermont uen'spapers, Troy and New 
York newspapers. Printed laws relat- 
ing to Monument, Battle .)f Benning- 
ton and Vermont Ceutennial : Forbes' 
Vermont Centennial, History of Odd 
Fellowship, Report of Masonic Grand 
Lodge of Vermont, 1887; Official pro- 
gramme of laying corner stone, Aug. 
16th, 1887; Masonic ceremonies, lay- 
ing cornerstone, Vermont, Centennial, 
Memurial Medal, Bank notes of the 
Banks in Bennington, Copper coins, 
Brigade order and roster, regimental 
order from Adjutant General's office 
for muster of 1887. 

Of the above the medal was contrib- 
uted by Dr. C. P. Thayer of Boston 
Mass.; copper coins by Thomas S. Mil- 
ler of St. Albans and Mrs. S. M. Sib- 
ley. She also presented the Farmer's 
Almanac. The History of Odd Fellow- 
ship was written by H. L. Stillson and 
donated for this purpose by Vermont 



Grand Lodge. Copy of the Banner 
contained cut of monument and Record 
History written by Chas. M. Bliss. 

The rite being concluded. Most 
Worshipful Alfrid A. Hall, Grand Mas- 
tei- of Vermont in behalf of the order, 
in an eloquent speech presented the 
monument to Gov. Ormsbee for the 
State, as "a tribate of Americans to 
American valor, and of Vermont to 
Vermont patriotism." 

The address of Gov. E. J. Ormsbee 
was full of interest, a portion of which 
was as follows : 

"And now, Sn-, in the name of 
the State of Vermont, I receive this 
work so auspiciously begun, from yonr 
hands. I thus receive it, not alone for 
the State of Vermont, but also for and 
in behalf of our sister commonwealths, 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 
who have made such liberal contribu- 
tion to the cause in memory of their 
sons who have sealed the cause of free- 
dom and liberty with their blood ; and 
for and in behalf of the General Gov- 
ernment which has by more than liber- 
al aid espoused the cause here com- 
memorated, and thereby given to it a 
National character, and securing to all 
of her sixty millions of people a com- 
mon property and interest in this otl- 
ering to patriotism, this monument to 
the bravery and heroism of the never 
to be forgotten Allen, Stark, Warner 
and their brave and devoted followers. 
And I should be remiss in acting my 
pleasure if not in the performance of 
my duty, should I fail to here and 
now, to make an entitled recognition of 
our obligation to and to pay just trib- 
ute of thankfulness to our sister States 
and the United States, for the interest 
manifested in and for the material aid 
furnished to this undertaking and there- 



BENNINGTON. 



65 



tore as the Executive of the State of 
Vermont, and in behalf of her people 
1 tender to them through their honored 
und lionorabie representatives, who 
have so nobly come to ns this day to 
pay further devotion by their presence 
and to give increased value to the gifts 
that iiad preceded them, our warmest 
thanks. 

And having thns accepted the well 
laid foundation work of this monu- 
ment to both valor and patriotism, from 
your hands, I now transfer it to the 
Bennington Battle Monument Associ- 
ation for completion. 

Gentlemen of the Association; Upon 
you is now conferred a great respon- 
sibility. You are the chosen, trusted, 
servants of the State upon whom now 
rests the dut}^ of taking up this work 
and carrying it on to completion. In 
the performance of your duties you are 
not alone the servants of Vermont, 
bat also the custodians and trustees of 
the General Govei'nment, the Com- 
monwealth of Massachusetts, and the 
State of New Hampshire. The honor 
and good faith of the State is pledged 
that this work shall proceed without 
delay, that it shall be completed as it 
has been begun, with stability and en- 
during qualities ; this honor and good 
faith is also, in your keeping. We ex- 
pect tliat yon will give to this under- 
taking your individual and collective 
care and watchfulness and that under 
your supervision and du'ection the 
work will go on from base to apex, un- 
til we shall see before ns completed and 
wholly fiinishe<l a structure as your de- 
sign calls for without blemish or defect 
and in keeping with the foundation be- 
fore us. Tliis we liave a right to ex- 
pect. Less than this would grieve and 
disappoint us. In full trust and confi- 



dence I now commit this work to your 
hands. 

The work was accepted by Hon. B- 
F. Prescottof New Hampshire, on be- 
half of the Association, from whose 
address is copied : 

Your Excellency : — As President of 
the Bennington Battle ^Monument As- 
sociation and in its behalf, I accept 
from you, tlie Chief Magistrate of Ver- 
mont, this corner stone with its histor- 
ic contents, now so well and appropri- 
ately laid. Jn doing this I feel that an 
important work has been well begun, 
and that the peoi)Ie of this republic 
Avill rejoice to know that an iidditional 
honor is to l)e paid to tiie [)atriots of 
the Revolution, who freely gave their 
lives for the establishment of the best 
government on earth. 

The Association under the su[)ervis- 
ion of the chief architect will erect n[)- 
onthis imperishable foundation a mon- 
ument beautiful and artistic in design, 
and massive in sti-ucture, which shall in 
the coming ag'es mark one of the most 
importiint localities in our laud ; made 
sacred by the blood and sacrifices of 
our her(nc countrymen. 

B}- the liberality of the States of Ver- 
mont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, 
and the general government, which 
was made possable by the result of 
this battle, and the generosity of lib- 
ei-al and patriotic citizens, this monu- 
ment is to be erected. 

On that memorable day, August 16th 
1777, without pre-arranged })lans, in the 
heat of the battle, amid the groans of 
the wounded and dying, and over the 
prostrate forms of their fallen and 
dead comrades, the self sacrificing pat- 
riots of New Hampshire, Vermont and 
Massachusetts helped lay the corner 
stone of this free and enligtened repub- 



66 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



lie which has stood u centuiy and com- 
mands the respect, and has secured the 
admiration of enlightened mankind, 
everywhere. 

We meet to-day to lay the corner 
stone to a monument which shall forev- 
er commemorate that event, and may 
it when completed remain as long as the 
work of man shall endure, and may 
all who hehold it in coming centuries 
be inspired Avith increased devotion to 
their country which confers such ines- 
timable blessings upon its people. 

History records the valor of men. — 
When Leonidas led the Spartan band 
and held the pass of Thermopjda? a- 
gainst the invading army of Xerxes, 
in which struggle he sacrificed his own 
life, and the immortal three hundred 
under his command expired on the field, 
he showed no valor, displayed no hero- 
ism, loftier than John Stark and the 
immortal heroes under his command, 
who checked the march and successful- 
ly defeated an invading army upon this 
territory. Every soldier under him 
would have yeilded his life had the oc- 
casion demanded it. 

Our Republic is not ungrateful or 
unmindful of its obligation to those 
who established it and those who have 
defended it; and to you, veterans in the 
last great struggle in defense of the 
Constitution and the inseperability of 
these states, we owe a debt of gratitude 
we can never repay. You all have how- 
ever the satisfaction of knowing that 
you preserved the best government on 
earth against the blow aimed at its ex- 
istance, and now, with the largest lib- 
erty enjoy the blessings it confers. 

This monument will be erected in 
honor of the mothei's as well as of the 
fathers of the Revolution. When in 
those eventful and trviug times, the 



wives and mothers in the valley of the 
Merrimack, and along those beautiful 
hillsides and upon the Berkshire hills of 
Massachusetts gave their husbands and 
sons a parting embrace, and bade them 
Godspeed to protect their homes against 
a ruthless and hostile invasion for the 
purpose of subjugation and booty; — 
when they placed their infants under 
the shade trees, while they reaped and 
harvested the grain, and offered up to 
God their prayers for the safe return of 
their loved ones and for the success of 
their arms, they displayed a heroism 
unsurpassed in the history of the world. 
If such do not deserve a monument at 
the hands of a grateful posterity to 
perpetuate their memory and patriot- 
ism, pray tell who on earth does ^ 

The special exercises of the laj'ing of 
the corner stone being completed, and 
music by the band had been enjoyed, 
the President of the day announced 
that the last thing prior to the benedic- 
tion would be to listen to the 

ORATION OF EX-GOVENOR STEWART, 

the orator of the day. It was quite 
lengthy, but every sentence teemed 
with well digested thought, and for the 
memorable occasion for which it was 
prepared it was worthy a place in the 
corner stone, and to be treasured as a 
most valuable production of one of the 
honored sons of the State. 
The following are extracts 

FROiM THE ORATION : 

"One hundred and ten years ago, 
this very hour, a little band of hardy 
pioneers, our fathers, kindred and coun- 
trymen were very busy on yonder hill- 
side clearing the track for the on-com- 
ing of the great republic. They were 
men of action ; and the time for action 
had come. Petition for redress, remon- 
strance against wrong, protest, argu- 



BENNINGTON. 



67 



ment. expostulation, had all been tried 
and liad failed, and the question be- 
tween the colonies and the mother- 
country had come to the dread arl)itra- 
ment of Avar; and on that fateful day 
England sent her Hessian hirelings, 
with their tory and savage allies, to 
lay waste and pillage the peaceful 
homes which patient thrift and enter, 
prise had made in this beautiful valley. 

The brave pioneers met them on the 
border, nor did they await attack. - 
Their defense was in attack, and all 
that long day they confronted the dis- 
ciplined invaders, and they fought as 
brave men fight for home and family 
and country, while in many a home 
within rifle shot of where we stand 
there were gathered the mothers, sis- 
ters, and wives and cliildren of the de- 
fenders, awaiting with beating and 
anxious hearts the issue of the battle 
and news of tlic loved ones who were 
braving its perils.. Who can describe 
the awful suspense of that day to these 
families as they listen to the distant 
roar of the deadly guns? But the night 
draws on, and the day is won, and so 
becomes one of the most memorable in 
American histor}'." 

''Fi'om the number of designs sub- 
mitted by different artists, the directors 
with entire unanimity and after careful 
deliberation selected the one designed 
by Mr. J. P. Rinn of Boston. It is 
believed that this design meets every 
required demand. Its realized embodi- 
ment, standing upon solid rock, Avill 
rise, graceful in outline, massive and 
majestic in propoi'tion. to the imposing 
height of 300 feet; its summit com- 
manding a view of the scenes so mem- 
orable. So standing, it will commend 
itself to the eye and judgment of fu- 
ure beholders as a fitting memorial and 



signed to commemorate and the grand 
and heroic character (;f the men whose 
valor on that August day so long ago 
made possable the victory at Stillwater 
and the surrender at Saratoga in the 
succeeding October. And this brings 
me to notice very briefly the historical 
significance of the Battle of Benning- 
ton and the bearing it had directly up- 
on the fate of Burgoyne's expedition, 
and more remotely, though not less 
certainly upon the result of the then 
pending struggle between the colonies 
and the mother country. I am not un- 
aware that this is a well-worn theme. 
The story of the battle, in which so 
many of the citizens of this county 
took part is as familiar as a household 
word. Indeed, 'Beimington Battle' are 
to them household words. 

The story has been oft told by sire 
to son and b}' grandsire to wondering 
grand-children gathered :it his knee. 
It was from these homes about ns that 
so many went out to meet and stay the 
invader. It is in many of these peace- 
ful homes that their kindred and de- 
scendants now live. Here too, annual- 
ly, as tlie years since 1777 have flown, 
the dwellers in this region have gather- 
and by appropriate ceremonies observed 
the anniversary of victory and deliv- 
erance. 

It has been to them almost as sacred 
as the annual feast of the passover ttt 
the Jews. At each recurring anniver- 
sary the story has been rehearsed anew. 
It is a theme fruitfid of impassioned 
curatory and an inspiration to the poet, 
and it has been embalmed by the his- 
torian. AYhatcan I say more or other 
than what has been spoken and written 
by your own, na,y, our own Gov. Hall, 
whose interest in, and whose knowl- 
edge of the early history of this region 



symbol, both of the great event it is de- was unmatched. We miss, indeed, his 



68 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



venerable and benignant presence here These men saw clearly the true func- 
to-clay, a day whieli more tlian any tions of government, and so gave new 
other he longed to see ; and yet the im- meaning to the term pntiiotism. Love 
press and impulse and inspiration of of country is instinctive and universal 
his spirit lias been felt at every step in and men have died for country in eve- 
ry age, but in every age until the En- 
glish revolution, gOA^ernment and coun- 



the progress of this association, and 
abides \/ith us to-day. 

[For which — the account of the battle try have been convertable terms, and 

of Bennington — see with these papers, luimau history is not a history of the 

in the preceding pages, the account by people, but almost to our time a con- 
Govenor Hall.] 

"Probably few, if any of those eugng- 
ed in the battle began to measure the 
momentous consequences which hung 
upon its issue. It seemed to them sim- 
ply a struggle for the capture or reteu- 



tinuons record of the follies and crimes 
and oppressions committed by kings 
and princes and nobles. 

The great teacher and Savioui- of the 
race declared tlie rights and dignity of 
the individual man, as man, nineteen 



tion of a quantity of supplies, and so centuries ago; but the grand truth was 
far important, but the far-reaching con- ; never recognized and formulated by any 
sequences of the result could not then ; civil government until more than 1200 
be foreseen. Our fathers '-builded bet- j years later, the great charter of English 
ter than they knew." We estimate the \ liberty Avas wrung from a reluctant 
value of their services in the light of! kino-. For centuries afterward it was 



subsequent events. But their want of 
of foreknowledge does not ■ detract in 
the slightest degree from the moral 
quality of their action. That lies in 



practically disregarded, the seed sown 
in men's hearts sloAvly germinated and 
grew and became the tree of liberty 
under which our fathers "gathered and 



their ready, unselfish loyalty to peril- ! which the}' w^atered Avith their blood." 

ous duty, and their prompt response to 

The heroic life, or heroic death in a 

just cause, though apparenth' hopeless, 

Avill sometime bear rich harvest in re- 



its call at the risk of life itself. 

No race of men ever trod this plan- 



et who more than they revered and re- | ^.Q^^ej-sioj, i.^to successful heroic ac- 



spected rightful authority, divine and 
human, and it Avas the rightness and 
righteous exercise of authorit}^ AA'^hich 



tion inspired by example. Such was 
the event and such the character of the 
actors therein, in reverent memory of 



commanded their respect ana allegi- | .^lj^j^ .^^ ^^.^ ^^^^^ ,,j^ tl^i,, anniversary 
ance Its abuse they kncAv was out- 
side the functions of government, and 



day to perform this initial ceremony. 



therefore intolerable." 

"In common Avith other colonists 
they would have remained in willing 
allegiance to the English government, 
had the latter respected and secaired 
to them those natural rights which are 
the gift of God, and not of govern- 
ments. 



We begin now the erection of a majes- 
tic and enduring memorial Avhich shall 
in some degree symbolize our concep- 
tion of an event fraught Avith so great 
results, and wrought, too, by an an- 
cestrj'^ Avhose heroic character and a- 
chievements must forever challenge our 
admiration and gratitude. 



BENNINGTON. 



69 



Let it rise majestic here, girt by these 
grand mountains, commanding views 
of unmatched natural beauty and over- 
looking the graves of the heroic dead. 
And so may it stand, mute but eloquent 
a memorial to all coming generations of 
the Battle of Bennington and of the 
valor and virtue of the men who 
crowned the da3% w^hose anniversary 
we celebrate with glorious victory." 

The Benediction by the Rev. Isaac 
Jennings, U. D. 

DECORATION DAY ORATORS 

IN XORTH hexnington : 
1872: Rev. S. W. Clemons. 
1874: Maj. J. H. Cushnian. 
1876 : Hon. Loveland Mnnson. 
1877: Col. J. H. Walbridge. 
1879 : Capt. E. A. Howe. 
1880: Rev. Henry Gordon. 
1881 ; Hon. J. S, Smart. 
1882: Capt. J. C. Baker. 
1883 : Rev. L. C. Partridge, 
1884: Hon. J. K. Batclieller. 
1885: Rev. George Shepard. 
188G : D. K. Simonds, Esq. 
1887 : Rev. Henry Gordon ,( after 
being at Bennington.) 



"Second Battle of Bexningtox 
VERiMONT'S CENTENNIAL, 

FoiUJKS : 

Frimtisplatr: PROPOSED MONUMENT 

Giattatc-100 feet hi(jh-accessahle to top. 

12 mo., 96 pp., printed at St. Albans : 

Dedicated to president hayes. 

Ulustrations: I. — \_Frontisplutc.'\ 

II.-Benninglon Centennial Grounds. 

Ill - Village of Bennington., 1111. 

IV.-Battle Groxmd uf 100 years ago. 

V.-The Hero of Bennington., Gen. Stark. 

VI. -Flan of the Bennington Battle. 



The patriotic little book opens : 
"The conflict on the battle field at 
Bennington, August 16th, 1777, was 
prefaced so briefly b}' the martial note 
of warning to the patriot "minute- 
man," that the decisive and glorious 
victory there achieved seems all the 
more icmarkable and brilliant, while 
each recurring anniversary adds lustre 
to the names and fresh laurels to the 
brows of the heroic dead. * * * Suffice 
it in this work to preface the history of 
Vermont's Centennial by a preliminar}' 
skirmish at this "outpost" of the Sec- 
ond Battle of Beiuiington, * * « * 
'•The echoes from the battle flelds of 
Concord, of Lexington and Bunker Hill 
had died away nearly two years in the 
past, and the declaration of American 
independence had been six months pro- 
claimed at Philadelphia, when the new 
year 1777, dawned. With it there ap- 
peared on the eastern horizon, among 
the galaxy of States, the star that nev- 
er sets. Even while all was seeming 
peace and content on the surface of 
this royal domain, along the Connecti- 
cut and among the green hills of the 
interior of the New Hampshire Grants, 
to the shores of the Champlain, in the 
mid-winter of 1777, when the Frost 
King — unlike King George of Eng- 
land — was monarch of all he survey- 
ed, there assembled at the snow-bound 
hamlet of Westminster a convention of 
brave and hardy pioneers and freemen 
who declared their independence of 
Britain's king and laid the foundation 
for a free and s(>verigu republic to be 
known as A'^ermont. And as the ad- 
vancing summer's sun unbound the icy 
fetters, and loosed the hold of the 
Arctic King on the Gieen Mountain 
slopes and fertile valleys of the new- 
born State, so the coming season wit- 
nessed the form and sceptre of royalty 



(0 



THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



wave and disappear, while edicts from 
the King were scorned as chaff. Mid- 
summer came, and the pioneers and 
patriots of the New Hampshire Grants 
assembled at Windsor and adopted a 
constitution for the new republic. — 
These were the victories of peace, even 
while the tramp of red coated regulars 
and the thunders of English artillery 
were heard within her borders. Six 
weeks later these same Gi'een Moun- 
tain Boys, fresh from the farms and 
meadows, came down to Bennington 
with hunting gun and powder-horn, 
undisciplined and unused to war, to 
battle for the right to life, and liberty 
the pursuit of happiness, and in defense 
of theii' constitution and new born free- 
dom, against the flower of the English 
army. It is gratifying to recall the fact 
that at Bennington, "the flag that wav- 
ed a hundred years," — the stai's and 
stripes, received its baptism of fire, and 
was carried to victory for the first time 
on land. It was a worthy initiation of 
the national emblem that to-da}' is 
honored the wide world over. 
Pago 17 : The Bennington Centennial 
being commemorative of the greatest 
military achievement of the Green 
Mountain Boj^s of the days of Allen 
and ^Varner, it was highly appropriate 
that the descendants in arms of those 
patriotic sires — the National Guard of 
Vermont, should muster c>n this ground 
made historic on the Centenni.al anni- 
versary of that battle. Although no 
clash of arms from contending forces 
would again resound through this beau- 
tiful valley, yet the "pomp and pano- 
pl}' of war" that martialed here as con- 
servators of peace, was in striking 
contrast to the militia of 1777 that con- 
tested royal troops with flint locks, and 
in home-spun dress. Instead of the 
midnight call bv courier, the martial 



note of warning came to the National 
Guard from the printing press in 

COL. peck's order. 
Head Quarters First Regiment, 
Burlington, Vt. .July*. 16, 1887. 

1. This Regiment will go into camp at Bcd- 
nington, Vt. ,on the morning of Saturday, Au- 
gust II, 1887, for eight (8) days. 

2. This camp will be known as Camp Stark. 

C&c.) 

"As the white canopied field of Camp 
Stark came into view with Mount An- 
thony's green slopes for a back-ground, 
the siglit was refreshing to the military. 
An advance guard from each company 
had pitched the tents and put things in 
fine order for their comrades, now 
marching up to camp. 

"The ground selected for the milita- 
ry encampments, and for the public 
exercises to take place on, was excep- 
tionally beautiful in its location, and 
picturesque in its surrounding scenery. 
The forum is a fifty-acre field, sloping 
down from the wooded side of Mount 
Anthonj' in billowy ridges toward the 
valleys where lies the village with its 
white houses like flakes of foam on a 
sea of green foliage. All around, save 
to the westward, are the steep slopes of 
the Green Mountains with dark cloud- 
shadows floating along their sides. — 
The grounds are some half a mile from 
the depot, between the centre and low- 
er vilhiges- The smooth and lawnlike 
surface of the meadow, free from either 
stone or bush, presented a charming 
scene, bordered by the pretty camps 
of the National Guard and veteran 
soldiers, the rows of tents looking as 
white as snow drifts on the velvet 
green of the field. To the south of 
"Camp P]than Allen" was erected the 
banquet tent, 410 feet in length by 50 
wide. * * * west of the banquet tent 



BENNINGTON. 



71 



were two pavillions running parallel, 
150 feet long and 35 where the veteran 
soldiers took their meals. * * Head- 
quarter tents foi" the Presidents and 
Govenors * * On one side of the field 
700 feet of track laid for the accommo- 
dation of the train of 18 Pullman cars 
which conveyed the Govenor, Coun- 
cil and Legislature of Massachusetts." 
"His Excellency Horace Fairbanks, 
Govenor and Commander in Chief, 
came to Bennington Satiu'da^' ; his staff 
came Monday [For names see Forbes, 
page 24.] The Staff were dressed in a 
fine, new uniform of black with gokl 
trimming." 

THE Ci:NTP:Ni\IAL SUNDAY 

"was spent in peace and rest at camp, 
broken only by guard mount in the 
morning and dress parade at sunset. — 
Morning and evening prayer was ob- 
served bp the Chaplin, Eev. D. C. Rob- 
erts, at his headquarters, and were con- 
tinued daih' through the muster. In the 
churches of Bennington the services 
were of a patriotic Christian character, 
no less than eight clerg^'men preaching 
at once on war and its glories when 
waged in the cause of freedom. At St. 
Peter's the First Regiment Chaplin took 
his text from one of the victorious 
Psalms; at the Second Congregational, 
Burgoyne's invasion was hardly veiled 
by a line from lasiah; at the First 
Church, the words of tlie mild St. John 
headed a sermon preached under the 
flaunting flags of all nations ; at the 
Methodist, "Liberty" was the theme ; 
at the Baptist, -'He is my fortress," 
was the text ; and so the round of the 
churches was made by the newly a- 
roused spirit of one hundred years ago. 
It was a fitting opening of the week 
of the reminiscent warfare, like the 
prayer before battle ; and with the red, 
white and l)lue in flags, and bunting. 



gracefully draped around the pulpits 
and depending from ceilings, with bo- 
quets of choice flowers adding to the 
beauty of the decorations, the places of 
worship seemed to preach eloquent ser- 
mons in their very appearance. In the 
afternoon the Chaplain of the Regi- 
ment held a church service in the large 
banquet tent near the veterans' camp. 
The Regiment attended in a body. The 
singing was very fine. The Chaplain 
preached an eloquent discourse on — 
"Work and Soldiery." A service of 
song, or praise meeting was held at 
the First Congregational Church after- 
wards, which was largely attended. — 
The dress parade at six o'clock Sunday 
evening drew thousands of spectators 
to the review ground. The scene was 
a brilliant one to the assembled mul- 
titude, as standing at the lower edge 
of the green slope the National Guard 
were viewed as they came marching 
from camp into line, their gray coats 
and white pants, with banners waving 
and gun-barrels glistening with their 
precision of movement making a fine 
display." 

"The first "boys in blue" to airive 
were Col. George W. Hooker's Wind- 
ham County veterans, who came march- 
ing up to Camp Ethan Allen with ban- 
ners fljing and bands of music play- 
ing. They wdre brown and dust cov- 
ered by their march over the moun- 
tain. The story of their march was 
as follows : 

The Brattleboro Cornet Band struck 
up a lively air as they lead Col. Hook- 
er and his splendidly equipped Staff 
with a portion of the Windham Coun- 
ty veterans' battallion Benningtonward 
from Brattleboro Monday morning, in 
the presence of a large crowd of Brat- 
tleborians. Ladies waved their hand- 
kerchiefs, men displayed flags, [etc.] 



72 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The march through Marlboro, Wil- 
mington, Searsbnrg and Woodford was 
made the occasion for a perfect ovation 
to the old veterans. The entire popu- 
lace, men and women, old and young, 
turning out en mass", to salute and "God 
speed" the 18G1 defenders of firesides 
and homes." 

The Colonel's Staff comprised the 
first representative men of Windham 
County : Col. D. D. Wheeler, Gen. W. 
W. Lynde, Maj. H. R. Chase, Col. N. 
C. Sawyer. Majors R. M. Gould, B.R. 
Jenne, [etc. etc., Forbes, p. 26.] 



The numerous, distinguished Staff— 
a fitting front for the brave "old vets," 
who with perfect step, stead}^ tread and 
patriotc ardor followed their file leaders. 
"The fighting boys" of old Windham, 
in blue shirts, black pants, black hats, 
headed by their leadei-s made a fine ap- 
pearance. The Brattleboro, Rocking- 
ham, Vernon, Dummerston, Putney, 
Newfane, Townshend, Wardsboro, Do- 
ver, Londonderry and Wilmington vet- 
erans are merged in this grand bat- 
tallion, They were followed before 
sundown by other battallions and soon 
the camp was occupied. 

THE cp:ntennial day 

OF VERmONX's INDEPENDENCE 

was opened at Bennington, August 15, 
1887, at sunrise. The booming of the 
cannon of Fuller's Battery awoke the 
echoes among the surrounding hills, 
and the church bells rang out a peal of 
joy. The uniformed militia of Ver- 
mont New Hampshire and Connecti- 
cut and the army of veterans in Camp 
Ethan were early astir, and at half past 
nine marched to the foot of County St. 
where the procession was formed un- 
der the direction of A. B. Valentine, of 
Benninojton." 



i "The duty of escorting the State offi- 
cials and other civ'l dignitaries fell to 
the First Regiment, National Guards 
i of Vermont, a splendid body of men 
I 700 strong. * * Then came the Gov- 
j enor of this State, the Executive Com- 
mittee of Bennington Battle Monument 
Association, the Vermont Centennial 
I Commission and invited geusts in four- 
I teen carriages. 

The f" econd Division was headed by 
the Putnum Phalanx of Hartford, Ct. 
in theier picturesque uniform of the 
Revolutionary period, followed by the 
New Hampshire troops : Amoskeag vet- 
erans, Major Wallace; Portsmouth 
Heavy Artillery ; State Capital Guards 
of Concord ; Hinsdale Guards ; Man- 
chester War Veterans, escortirg the 
State officials of New Hampshire : Gov- 
enor Prescott, Ex-Govs. Harriman and 
Smyth ; Gen. Nat Head, the Executive 
Council and State officers ; Rev. Na- 
thaniel Bouton, State Historian ; Ma- 
son W. Tappan, Atty. Gen., Gen. Ira 
Cross; [etc.] the Legislature of New 
Hampshire — some 150 members; and 
the City Government of Manchester. 

The Third Division, under Colonel 
Hooker of Brattleboro, with an impos- 
ing Staff' of mounted officers, was the 
crowning featui'e of the procession, 
composed as it was of the war veterans 
of Vermont in their everyday attire, 
rough and ready for duty in the hour 
of their country's danger. The Fii'St 
Brigade embraced the southern county 
battalions numbei'ed about X'SO men ; 
the second, Col. Butterfield, 300 strong ; 
the Third, Col. Tracy from Rutland 
and Addison Counties, 125 men ; and 
the Fourth, made up of the yeoman- 
ry of Washington, Orange, Lamoille. 
Orleans, Essex and Caledonia counties. 
700 strong; total about 1300 men. 



BENNINGTON. 



73 



"At 9.30. the procession which had 
been formed upon the streets near the 
depot, becan the line of march through 
the beautiful village. Every available 
seat upon the sidewalks, house-tops and 
limbs of trees was occupied by specta- 
tors. The waving- of Hags, the huzzas 
from the crowd, and the hearty wel- 
come poiu-ed from old and young were 
ackowledged by the veterans in oft-re- 
peated cheers for the ladies and ])atri- 
otic decorations. Along School, Main, 
Silver, South and other streets, the 
completed and tasteful displays were 
almost innumerable. Upon every hand 
were to be seen flags of all nations, 
and arches bearing patriotic mottoes. 
The music from bands playing old-fash- 
ioned tunes as the pageant moved along 
resounded through the sides of the 
surrounding mountains. 

Tins was the most imposing proces- 
sion ever seen in Vermont. It was 
over three miles in length, numberd at 
:i fair estimate 40.000 people, and was 
witnessed by 25.000 people. The no- 
ticeable parts of the procession were 
the marching of the First Regiment, 
N. G. of Vermont ; the appearance of 



ARRIVAL AT CAMP STARK. 

When the head of the column reach- 
ed the entrance to Camp Stark, an im- 
mense throng were there to welcome 
it. Govenor Fairbanks who occupied 
a ladeau, drawn by four maguificent 
horses, was welcomed. The barouche 
conveying Gen. Banks, Hon. Frothing- 
hani, Geo. B. Loring, and Hon. W. 
H. H. Bingham, was received with loud 
cheers. Also, the barouche conveying 
Govenor Connor of Maine and Gener- 
al Cilley." 

The Chief Marshall and Staff escort- 
ed His Excellency Horace, Fairbanks, 
Vermont's Centennial Govenor and all 
distinguished geusts to the place assign- 
ed them. * * The Orator's tent was 
nearly filled when the distinguished 
geusts arrived. * * Hon. Wm. M. 
Evarts came in advance of the Presi- 
dential party, from his Windsor resi- 
dence ; Govenor Fairbanks ; Ex-Gove- 
nors Hall, Fletcher. Stewart, Smith ; 
Senators Edmunds and Morrill; Hon- 
erables L. P. Poland, E. W. Stoughton ; 
Govenors Prescott, Connor, Van Zandt ; 
Generals Hawley, Banks and Kobin- 
son; with some fifty other prominent 



the Putnam Phalanx, composed of an men occupied seats on the platform 



elderly, solid class of men of Hartford, 
and the soldierly appearance of the 
New Hampshire troops and the Ver- 
mont veterans. These latter drew cheer 
after cheer, and the enthusiasm reach- 
ed its climax when a body of 300 with 
a banner inscribed "Spunky Lamoille,'' 
made its appearance. When the veter- 
ans passed the triumphal arch, hearty 
cheers were given. An attractive fea- 
ture, alsc), of the procession were the 
Amoskeag Veterans, who were as en- 
thusiastically cheered by the citizens as 
were the home troops. 



Hon. E. J. Phelps, President of the 
Vermont Centennial Commission and 
of the day, introduced Rev. Isaac Jen- 
nings, who offered the opening j)rayer. 
President Phelps then made an elo- 
quent address to the invited geusts. — 
He stated that the State of Vermont 
commemorated the one hundredth an- 
niversary of her birth and the happy 
and prosperous tei-mination of the first 
century of her existence as an indepen- 
dent State. To-morrow they would 
signalize one of the most important 
victories of the Revolution. To-day 
was devoted to the victories not less 



74 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



renowned — not less fruitful — the vic- 
tories of peace. (Applause.) To all 
assembled there, whether as friends 
or strangers, to the distinguished guests, 
to all the children of Vermont, from 
near or far, gathered to honor the cen- 
tennial birthday of their native land, 
he was charged to extend a kindly, a 
courteous, a generous welcome. (Ap- 
plause.) Richer States might tender 
more splendid hospitalities, more im- 
posing ceremonies — theirs were plain 
and simple as hefitted the habits of their 
people. The day was consecrated to 
the memories of the men who have laid 
broad and deep foudations of free in- 
stitutions. Not only were they tliere 
to honor tha leaders, but the rank and 
file, who unheralded and unknown, 
gave to the State the best they had. 
Without their virtue and patriotism the 
master spirits would have planned and 
toiled in vain. That noble race have 
passed away, and some of their imme- 
diate descendants were among their 
welcome geusts. The speaker, after 
paying an eloquent tribute to the valoi 
of the sons of Vermont, concluded a- 
mid enthusiastic plaudits. 

Mrs. Julia C. R. Dorr's fair poem, 
Vermont, followed the address, finely 
read by Professor T. W, Churchill of 
Andover[Mass.] ; then the able orator 
of the da}^ Hon. Daniel C. Roberts 
of Burlington ; alter which brief ad- 
dresses were made by Gens. Hawley 
and Banks; Ex-Govs. Harriman, Con- 
nor, Van Zandt, and others; letters 
were read from the Gov. Gen. of Can- 
ada, John G. Whittier, Gen. Sheridan, 
George Wm. Curtis, Rev. Dr. Chapin 
and others ; the literary exercises heing 
intei'mingled with music by the Band 
of Winooskie and the Fisherville, (N. 
H.) Band." Such was the glor}' of the 
day of the victories of peace. 



KVK HEFORE THE SECOND DAY. 

About half past three, the 1st Reg. 
N. G. Vt., Col. Peck, and the N. H. 
militia forming a brigade. Gen. J.M. 
Clough, commanding, marched down 
from Camp Stark, bands playing, col- 
ors flying, and were drawn in line at 
the depot to receive the President. 

At Troy the President was met by 
Colonel George A. Merrill. Vermont 
Cen. Com. and Col. Harrington, who 
went down from Bennington ir. the 
morning . At Hoosack Junction, Adj. 
Gen. Peck greeted the President and 
in behalf of the Govenor welcomed 
him to the State. At North Benning- 
ton, when the train pulled up at the 
station there were hundreds of people 
who came down from distant points 
back of the railroad to welcome the 
Chief Magistrate. 

At 3.40, the long whistle announced 
the approach of the train at Benning- 
ton. The train stopped in front of the 
depot. The President stepped out upon 
the platform accompanied by Govenor 
Fairbanks and passed to an open ba- 
rouche drawn l>y four spirited horses. 
The troops saluted the President, who 
rose with uncovered head and ac- 
knowledged the greeting. Men cheer- 
ed, ladies waved their handkerchiefs ; 
the crowds were enthusiastic. Follow- 
ing the President came Mrs. Hayes and 
Miss Waite, escorted by Cols. Merrill 
and Harrington ; Atty. Gen. Devens, 
Secretary McCrary, Postmaster Gener- 
al Key, Mr. Webb C. Hayes and the 
gentlemen, accompanying the Piesi- 
dent, all of Avhom entered carriages in 
waiting, which fell into line between 
the Vermont troops and New Hamp- 
shire militia. The column moved 
through River, North and Main streets 
to Bennengton Centre, and halted at 



BENNINGTON. 



75 



the residence of Rev. Mr. Tibbets, who 
entertained the President during his 
stay in Bennington. 

About 9 o' clock, p. m. the President 
accomi^anied by Govenor Fairbanks, 
arrived at the Walloomsac House and 
in the brilliantly lighted parlors sur- 
rounded by a detail of the National 
Guard, Col. Harrington, Aid, took po- 
sition to receive the people. The Ran- 
som Guard Band struck up a lively air, 
outside, the hotel and the impatient 
visitors from without were admitted. 
For two hours an almost endless crowd 
of people, old and young, rich and 
poor, crippled and infirm, passed be- 
fore the President, heartily shaking his 
hand, while from without fireworks 
could be seen illuminating the heavens 
in almost every direction." — "Very 
many private residences were illumi- 
nated throughout the town." All was 
joyance. "It was nearly midnight 
when the distinguished visitors left for 
their abodes. Out of thirty thousand 
visitors that day, ten thousand people 
slumbered within the precincts of Ben- 
nington, while the neighboring towns 
were full. 

MORNING OF THE BATTLE ANNIVERSARY. 

"While darkness yet shrouded the 
historic Village of Bennington, a dis- 



Knight, with about 200 of the legisla- 
ture escorted by Boston Cadet Corps, 
the Governor's Body Guard for more 
than a hundred years ; with their splen- 
did band of 26 pieces. 

The thunder of artillery reverbera- 
ted through the valley of the Waloom- 
sack at sunrise — from the four cannon 
taken from the British, fired by the 
Portsmouth artillery. The bells joined 
their voices . * * * Tibbets Corps of 
Troy, veteran soldiers, accompanied by 
Boring's celebrated Band arrived ear- 
ly in the day ;" and the Burleigh Corps 
from Whitehall in time for the grand 
procession. 

"Governor Fairbanks with a retinue 
of carriages drove from his headquar- 
ters on the cetnennial field out to the 
Mt. Anthony home of the American 
President. * * On the open grounds 
which make the pleasant little park be- 
tween the Waloomsac Hvuse and the 
old burial grounds where heroes and 
Hessians have slept for a century side 
by side. Col. Peck's full Regiment of 
the National Guard of the State were 
in line, with arms at "present" to 
receive the Nation's Executive. There 
can be no better pageant produced in 
imagination thao the march of the mil- 
itary escort accompanied by their dis- 



tinguished party, civic and military, tinguished geusts, from the historic 



from the old Bay State, arrived by spe- 
cial Pullman train at the Centennial 
grounds. On the IGth of Aug. 1777, 
this grand old Commonwealth was also 
at Bennington, — three hundred of her 
sturdy, Berkshire mountain patriots 
«came up" while the Vermonters "came 
down," — as Sheridan did at AVinches- 
ter — and drove back the invaders. — 
Massachusetts has a grateful remem- 
brance of that great victory. Governor 
Rice sent his representative, Lt. Gov. 



street of "Old Bennington Hill" down 
the hillside highway to the village in 
the Waloomsac valley where the cav- 
alcade of thousands of soldiers, veter- 
ans and citizens were forming. * * — 
Chief Marshall Valentine "had massed 
in divisions" five thousand and more 
soldiers, citizens, bands, batteries and 
organizations, on fobt, mounted and in 
carriages, who were to form the grand- 
est cavalcade that ever passed through 
a New England city or village." 



76 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



For a minute description of the grand 
procession, see Forbes' book, pages 47, 
45, 46, 47, 48. 

"From the depot the procession com- 
menced its triumphal march through 
Bennington Main street. Over the 
street the fe^toonry of every descrip- 
tion, triumphant ar(rhes, mottoes of 
welcome and the emblazonment of 
gorgeous and patriotic display met the 
marching thousands along its whole 
length. Nearly every house was dec- 
orated ; every portico and every veran- 
dah was filled with welcoming geusts, 
scattering boquets andwaving handker- 
chiefs. * * President Hayes rode with 
Govenor Fairbanks, * * his reception 
in Vermont, and his ride in the pro- 
cession partook of the nature of a tri- 
umph ; enthusiasm ran wild, deafening 
cheers greeted him in a continuous roll 
along the entire route. As the day 
before, the crowd -n as thickest at the 
grand arch, the cheers most deafening. 
* * There were 3000 veterans in line 
to-day ; as each company passed the tri- 
umphal arch the people raised their 
hats. Col. Hooker riding at the head 
of the Windham County Battallion, 
and Col. R. V. Randall in command of 
"Spunky Lamoille" veterans, drew at- 
tention second only to the Presidential 
party. Many officers in the service 
during the Rebellion were recognized 
and loudly applauded as they passed 
by. The Legislature of Vermont and 
New Hampshire walked the entire dis- 
tance traversed by the procession which 
called out many reminisences concern- 
ing the men who came on foot to the 
same spot a hundred years ago. 

When the procession arrived at the 
centennial field it pkssed in review be- 
fore the President. Ihe President wel- 
comed the procession, * * he congrat- 



felicitous beginning and progress of this 
centennial occasion. * * * 

Mr. Key and Mr. McCrary were 
introduced by the President and spoke 
briefly ; the President then introduced a 
grand-daughter and two great-grand- 
daugi iters of Gen. Stark, and Mr. Ev- 
arts introduced Mrs. Hayes ; and after 
were speeches, poems, music and toasts. 
The venerable Rev. Allen of North 
Woodstock, Ct., grandson of fighting 
Parson Allen," opened with prayer 
and the welcome address was by Gov- 
enor Fairbanks, as follows : 

"Mr. President, and Ladies and Gen- 
tlemen: — It is well, and we are glad 
that this memorable occasion should be- 
honored by the presence of citizens and 
the chief executive officers of so many 
of our States, and especially by the 
President of the United States and his 
Cabinet. The heroic deeds of the hun- 
dred years ago were not done to a- 
chieve the independence or liberty of 
any one colony or State, but to achieve- 
the liberties of America. Fellow citi- 
zens of this great Republic and patriot 
soldiers, lovers of human rights and 
liberties, in behalf of the State of Ver- 
mont, I bid you a most hearty and 
cordial welcome to these commemora- 
tive services and hallowed associations^ 
well, will it be if from them we catck 
and carry away in some measure the 
same patriotic devotion to all freedom, 
which inspired those brilliant heroes- 
on yonder battle field, one hundred 
years ago." 

Gov. Fairbanks was followed by the 
Orator of the Day, President S. C. 
Bartlett of Dartmouth College. [For 
extract see Forbes p. 53, for full ad- 
dress, official record by the Bennington 



ulated the State of Vermont upon the | Battle Monument Association.] After 



BENNINaTON. 



77 



the oration came the poem of William 
Cullen Bryant and short speeches by 
the President and his Cabinet. 

THE BA.NQUKT: — Plates laid under a 
series of tents in form of a (ireek cross 
for 3500 persons; tables loaded with 
meats, fruits, delicacies ; ornamented 
with boqiiets of brilliant flowers, — 
decorated with flags, — bunting, a huge 
American ensign over the presidential 
seat. President and party entered at 
3.25: The President escorting Mrs. 
Gov. Fairbanks, Mrs. Hayes attend- 
ed by Gov, Van Zandt of Rhode Is- 
land; E. J. Phelps, P^sq.. Pres, Ben. 
Bat. Monu. Asso., presiding ; receiv- 
ing, later, from President Hayes the 
compliment "for dignity, grace, culture 
and admirable wit, he excelled any 
presiding officer that he had ever met. 
The dinner was abundant and enjoy- 
able ; the tables were waited on by young 
ladies, their badge of office a pretty ribon 
on which was inscribed "Mollie Stark." 

President Phelps lead with a brief 
opening speech, to the point, and read 
a letter of Lord Dnfferin of Canada, of 
regret not to be there ; a band played 
an English national anthem. 

Mr. Evarts followed Mr. Phelps. — 
He "closed his spieech by referring to 
the fact that had been brought to the 
notice of the people by a distinguished 
writer (Artemas Ward) who had de- 
clared himself wilHng to sacrifice o:^ 
the altar of his country all of his wife's 
relations, but John Stark went farther 
than that for, he declared himself will- 
ing to sacrifice his wife's .husband." 
(Laughter.)", 

Goveuor Prescott of New Hamp- 
shire followed, who spoke at length. 
"We come," he said, "with full 
numbers to this centenniil occasion." 



Then, Hon. W. Stoughton, of 
New York : "If the men who fought 
Bennington Battle could have looked 
forward to this day and seen them- 
selves enthroned in the affections of 
forty millions of people, they would 
have felt that all the sacrifices, all the 
slain, all that went to secure a victory 
that was dear to them on that field, 
was well repaid by this day." 
Govenor Fairbanks, Senator Edmonds, 
Postmaster General Key, Atty. Gen- 
eral Devens made short speeches. 

Mr. Phelps then said in the abscence 
of the Treasurer of the United States, 
who was probably like the king in the 
nursery song, "busy counting out his 
mone}^" and getting ready for specia 
payment, he would call upon one who 
was fit to be treasurer. Senator Justin 
S. Morrill, and Mr. Morrill responded : 
"I have always pitied one who was so " 
unfortunate as not to be born in Ver- 
mont, and, especially, those not having 
a share in Bennington Battle. I trust 
that we s'hall all rally to every call as 
to the sound of the trumpet which calls 
us lo commemorate these virtues of the 
people of our States." 

Speeches were also made by Thomas 
Allen of St. Louis, Lieut. Gov. Kice 
of Massachusetts and President Bartt- 
lett of Dartmouth College, and letters 
were read from the Govenor of Texas, 
Arkansas, Georgia, Tennesee, Virginia, 
Kentucky, Mississippi, Indiania and 
North Carolina; Gen. (JarfieJdof Ohio 
and some thirtj' others. It was past 
six p. m. when the bai:quet concluded 
by the rendering of a volunteer poem 
entitled "Parson Allen's Ride," by 
Wallace Bruce of Poughkeepsie. 

After the banquet the Boston Corps, 
Thos. F, Edmunds, commanding, held 
a dress parade on the review grounds. 



78 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



their precision of movement was ad- 
mired by thousands. As soon as the 
dusk of night favored, camps Ethan 
Allen and Stark were illuminated by 
fires and torchlights, interspersed with 
thousands of Chine&e lanterns, calci- 
um lights, transparencies, etc. etc. ;the 
camps of the veteran, Fuller's Buttery, 
the Estey, Park and Ransom Guard 
brilliant in the extreme ; and Hooker.s 
headquarters was the object of uni- 
versal admiration, [n addition to the 
500 Chinese lanterns, pyramsds of 
light, and display of transparencies, 
which were the especially admired fea- 
ture of the camp illuminations. Di- 
rectly in front of the officers tents and 
parallel with the color lines, the trian- 
gular transparenciences, stretching to 
the fartherest camp location were the 
likenesses of Washington, Lincoln, 
Grant, Hayes, Stark, Ethan Allen, 
Evarts, Devens, Custar, Sedgewick, 
Sheridan, Sherman, Generals Baldy 
Smith and Brooks. 

The evening was a very brilliant 
one in Bennington Village, every 
house was thrown open and nearly 
every house was illuminated with Chi- 
nese lanterns, transparencies, and pat- 
riotic devices. The midnight hour 
proclaimed from the church tower did 
not put a quietus on citizen or soldier. 
Illuminations and fireworks greeted 
theearly dawn of Friday, as if pro- 
testing against the innovation of an- 
other day on a great anniversary occa- 
sion which had been so proud an one 
for Vermont ; so replete with historic 
associations, and so fittingly and suc- 
cessfully commemorated for the past 
twenty-four hours. 

During the night and early morning 
the veterans broke camp, Col. Hook- 
er and his Windham County boys be- 



ing the first to take up the line of 
march for "the seat of peace" at 
Brattleboro. 

At Camp Stark the usnal routine of 
duties to 11 a. m. when Fuller's Light 
Battery was reviewed by the Governor 
and hip Staff" who expressed the liveliest 
satis fation with the Battery. They lefl 
for home at noon. 

At 2 p. m. took place the annual re- 
view and inspection of the First Reg- 
iment, the National Guards of Ver- 
mont, Col. Peck commanding, by Gov. 
Fairbanks and his Staff, and the Colo- 
nel was highly complimented b}' the 
Governor on the increasing excellence 
the regiment was attaining year after 
year under his management and con- 
trol. At the conclusion the Regiment 
held their dail}'^ dress parade before 
the Governor Friday evening, * * wit- 
nessed and loudl}' applauded by a great 
concourse of people. Companies F 1 
and G broke camp at an eafiy hour 
Saturday, so as to hit the morning 
train to their homes ; and the rest of 
the regiment left on a special train 
at 10 a. m. 

[Thus far from Forbes. And it is 
due to the memory of the late Rev. Dr. 
Chapin of New York, who wrote years 
since to us that he* sometimes felt al- 
most as if he were a Verraonter ; that 
the happiest years of his life were in 
Vermont, to inscribe here his tribute to 
Bennington Battle delivered on the steps 
of old Clio Hall when a student there, 
Aug. 16, 1837. 

"Bennington Battle." 
by edward h. chapin. 

They came up at the battle's sound, , 

Stern, iron-hearted men, 
Thej' heard it as it thrilled along 

The stream-side and the glen ; 
The dim, old m^ountains echoed hack 

That summons, wild and strong, 



BENNINGTON. 



79 



And the greenwood depths were stirred 
As with a triumph song. 

Tliey came as br.ave men ever come, 

To stand, to light, to die ; 
No thought of tear was in tlie lieart, 

No quailing in the eye ; 
If the lip faltered, 'twas with prayer, 

Amid those gathering bands. 
For the sure rifle kept its poise 

In strong, untrembling hands. 

They came up at the battle sound 

To Old Waloomsack height, 
Behind them were their fields of toil 

With harvest promise white ; 
Before them those who sought to wrest 

Their hallowed birthright, dear. 
While through their ranks went feariessly 

Their leader's woi-ds of cheer. 

My men there are our Freedom's foes, 

And shall they stand or fall ? 
Ye have your weapons in your hands, 

Ye know your duty all ; 
For we tliis day will triumph o'er 

The minions of the crown, 
Or Molly Stark's a widowed one 

Ere yondei^sun goes down. 

One thought of Heaven, one thought of home 

One thought of hearth and shrine. 
Then i ock-like stood they in their might, 

Before the glitternig line. 
A moment, and each keen eye paused 

The coming foe to mark, 
Then downward to his barrel glanced 

And strife was wild and dark. 
****** 

'Tis sixty years ago; and where 

Are those brave yeomen now? 
The clods are heavy on the breast. 

And dust is on the brow ; 
A few still linger with dimmed eyes. 

And time-bleached locks of gray. 
But they are passing one by one. 

To their deep rest away. 

The triumph of that conflict hour 

With them will not depart, 
The memory of that old red field 

Is fresh within the heart. 
'Twill live on very mountain side, 

'Twill breathe in every glen. 
And linger by the sepulchre 

Where sleep those mighty men: 



It needs no monumental-pile 

To tell each storied na^e. 
The fair green hills rise proudly up 

To consecrate their fame ; 
True to their trust, Waloomsac long 

The rcord bright shall bear 
Of those who came up at the battle sound 

And fought for freedom there. 



A PORTRAIT OF GEN. STARK, 

THE HERO OF THE BENNINGTON BATTLE, 

which has just come in from Spring- 
field, Mass., from Mr Clogston, from 
Mr. P^astman, "Sons of Vermont," for 
the 'Papers of Bennington Battle' in 
the Gazetteer. Thanks from the lit- 
tle office in Chicago : The Sons of 
Vermont do not lose their loyalty in 
the old Bay State, or in the Granate 
State. Welcome to valor ! If any 
man ever had a right to a picture in 
Vermont History it is John Stark. — 
right here where he struck us will we 
place him, — that brave face in the glow 
of the Bennington Battle by Street. — 
See, just over in the midst of Street's 
Battle. 

THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON. 
Bv Alfred C. Street. 

From Harper. 
Famous the deeds by our fathers done! 
List to the Battle of Bennington ! 
Stalwart in body and lion in heart. 
The heroes that bore in that battle a part. 
Oft did mj' grandsire tell the strife 
Till the winter stoims with the sounds gi-ew 

rife. 
The wind shrieked wild with tones of fear. 
The hail was the musketry smiting my ear. 
And the rusty old king's arm seemed to call 
From the bi-oad moose antlers against tli' wall. 
'Twas at the close of a summer's day, 
(One stormy night, I thus heard him say.) 
All through the hours from early morn , 
Had I been working in the com ; 
And now I watched in the sunset glow 
The shadows longer and stronger grow. 



80 



VER^IONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Leagues of forest that liid the day, 

Swept from my cabin of logs away. 

And naught ol tidings e'er touelied my ear 

From the world lying dimly at distant sphere. 

I watched, as I said, by my cabin door. 

The sundown creeping the clearing o'er. 

A hawk was rounding a pine near by, 

Rousing the echoes with hoarsest cry. 

A deer was grazing down toward the brink 

Of the beaver dam brook f ir his sunset drink 

My sire was leaving the lot on the hill; 

Of threescore and ten, but vigorous still ; 

The household song of my wife rang free, 

Blent with my baby boy's frolic glee. 

All was contentment without alloy ; 

I blessed the dear God in my grateful jo y. 

What was the figure that just then broke 

Out from the shadow of .a skirting oak? 

Hurried his footsteps and wild his air. 

Surely Hans Boorne was approaching there : 

"Rouse thee, John Arnold!" he panted quick. 

Swift were his gestures, his breath came 

thick — 
Thick with his haste, and he sank below; 
"Rouse thee, John Arnold, the foe, the foe!" 
We sat us down in the plumy brake 
And he told how Burgoyne had come up the 

Lake, 
Taken old Ti, and with two-fo'.d might 
Won Hubbardton's desperate stand-up fight. 
And now was coming with bow and spear. 
To bring captivity far and near. 
As deep I listened my veins grew hot. 
And a battle field rushes o'er the sylvan spot 
The kine-bell changed to a weapon's clank, 
The rows of rye to the serried rank; 

A-ud full in the midst was John Arnold s 

tread. 
With no fear in heart, but war's tever instead. 
Where shots blazed reddest his way he took, 
And his arm waxed weary with blows he 

strook. 
And I sprang to my feet with a ringing cry, 
"Hans Boorne, John Arnold will do or die;" 
I took the king's arm, the rust I cleared. 
Till its barrel like silver, smooth shining 

appeared ; 

And left to my father the rifle, to slay 
The venison or panther chance prowling that 
way. 



I clasped to my bosom my boy and wife. 
Then pointed my way toward the i-egion ot 

strife. 
Three days did I tramp by the moss on the 

bark. 
Three nights did my camp-fire jewel the dark. 
At last as the morning was beaming I won 
The beautiful meadows of Bennington. 
The little Walloomsack rippled along, 
Giving the wilderness song for song; 
And hasty trampling of men was there. 
The flag of my country high streaming in air. 
Olci itark was galloping to and fro. 
Wherever he hastened out-burst a glow : 
"There stand the red-coats! we'll smite them 

well 
And drive back the hounds to their kennels in 

hell. 
"None but cowards will slink away! 
Sons of the brave sires will fight to-day ! 
For victory s banner shall fly o'er me 
Or Molly Stark's a widow, said he." 
A shout rolled upward of fierce acclaim ; 
Each bosom burning with patriot flame, 
As blinked in the distance the i"ed-coat ranks 
Our torrent of frenzy boiled o\%r its banks; 
And we shook with our firing the valley's 

green lap ; 
It was like one continuous thunder-clap. 
We stormed the heights where the Hessians 

stood. 
And made them red with their rascal blood. 
Not a cannon did give us aid 
As on us their deadliest batteries plaj'ed. 
We swept the fierce Indian, a yelping pack— 
And sneaking Tory as leaves in our track. 
We beat them once and tlien Brej'man up 

bore ; 
Brave railed the foe and they fought us once 

more. 
But all in yain, for bold Warner too, 
Bore up, and for us, and we charged anew. 
Bear-skin helmet and plumed cap fell, 
Volley met volley, j^ell mixed with yell. 
The musket ball hissed and the rifle ball sang. 
And the screech of the cannon ball deafening 

rang. 
I saw through the black smoke the red-coats 

reel, 
And my heart at the brave sight grew harder 

than steel. 



BENNINGTON. 



83 



My trusty, old king's arm waxed heavy and 

hot, 
And still I poured without stint my shot. 
My wife seemed saying "John Arnold, flglit 

on!" 
And 1 heard through the conflict the voice of 

my sou. 
Still Stark went galloping up and down, 
'•Fight, fight the base red-coats, mean slaves 

of a crown!" 
"Fight, fight, my brave fellows, said he. 
Or Molly, I tell ye, a widow shall be !" 
With a shout that shook the sunset sky, 
We dashed right on— it was conquer or die. 
Where Stark's ej^e glittered, there withered 

our foes. 
For there fell the might of our fearfulest 

blows. 
Tiie little Waloomsack blushed with red, 
And hushed its song for 'twas filled with dead. 
And when night darkened, the air about, 
Shook with our victory's thundering shout. 
Cannon and banners and swords and guns, 
And captives were tribute to Freedom's sons. 
With the leader of all, bold Baum, who died, 
As we rolled the loud cheers in our conquer- 
ing pride. 
Old Stark up-towered among us still,, 
"And Moll's no widow!" laughed he with a 

will. 

And so, my boy, was the grim figlit won, 
Such was the Battle of Bennington. 



HON. HILAND HALL, 

BY HENRY D. HALL, ESQ. 

Nathaniel Hall, the father of Hiland 
Hall, was a quiet, thrifty farmer and his 
wife. Abigail(Hubbard) Hall, a worthy 
and true help-meet. The emigrant an- 
cestors of both were Enj^lish, John 
Hall of the father and George Hubbard 
of the mother, alter being over fifteen 
years at Boston and Hartford, in 1850, 
became large landholders, and the first 
settlers of Middletown, Ct. In the old 
graveyard there may still be found the 
tombstones ot some of their early de- 
scendants. 



Nathaniel Hall was deacon of the 
old Baptist church at Bennington. He 
and his wife were both worthy and es- 
teemed members of the church and re- 
spected members of society. 

Dea. Nathaniel Hall came to Ben- 
nington in 1 779. He was married to 
Abigail Hubbard at Norfolk, Ct., Oct. 
12, 1794. Their children were: 

HILAND, the oldest, subject of this 
sketch. 

Phebe, died, 1860, aged 63. 

Abigail, died, 1884, aged 85. 

Nathaniel, died, 1846, aged 46. 

Anna, died, 1869, aged 65. 

Laura, died, 1854, aged 48. 

Polly, the youngest, died in 1870, 
aged 62 years ; all having married and 
leaving descendants. 

Dea. Nathaniel Hall died in 1^89, 
aged 86 years, and his wife in 1846, 
aged 78 years. 

The early education of hiland hall 
was in the common schools of his neigh- 
borlKXid, and the better part of a three 
months term, one fall at the Academy, 
in Granville, N. Y., which he would 
probably have rounded out, had he not 
been sick before the close of the term, 
the only sickness of his youthful da^'s 
of which the writer remembers to have 
heard him speak, though he has heard 
him tell his children how his good moth- 
er getting her chilhdren ready Sunday 
morning, and he making the excuse of 
not feeling well to stay at home, would 
seize the ''picra bottle" and a table- 
spoon, and he would conclude to tiy to 
go to church. The sermons were in 
those days, two on every Sabbath, each 
at least, an hour or more in length. 

The youth of Hiland Hall was spent 
ou his father's farm in Bennington. — 



84 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The following incident connected 
with his early schooling is from a 
memorandum by himself. 

In the adjoining town of Shaftsbu- 
ry, about a mile from my father's there 
"was a Baptist meeting-house, and also, 
a school-house in which schools were 
usually kept about three months in the 
•winter by maleteacheis, and about as 
long in summer by females, for instruc- 
tion in reading, writing and arithmetic, 
and for years no other branches had 
been taught. The teachers had general- 
ly been taken from the neighborhood, 
but "when I was nine or ten years old, 
a winter teacher from abroad was em- 
ployed who on examining the progress 
I had made in those branches, told me, 
I was forward enough to study gram- 
mar and advised me to do it. I had 
little idea what he meant by it, but sup- 
posed it would be right, and was will- 
ing to undertake it. He found another 
scholar, a girl fifteen or sixteen years 
old, who was spending the winter with 
her uncle the Baptist minister, who 
wished also to pursue the study. The 
teacher said it would be necessary to 
have a bool?^ and gave me a memoran- 
dum of the title "Alexander's English 
Grammar," which was soon obtained 
at Troy, by my father who was going 
there with a load of wheat. The 
gi'ammar was about the size of Web- 
ster's spelling-book and bound in boards 
like it ; and we began the study. That 
branch of learning was new to the 
school-children and excited their atten- 
tion and curiosity, and they went home 
to their parents full of information a- 
bout the jargon of hard words that had 
been rattled off by the teacher and his 
two learners, such as nouns, pronouns, 
verbs, adverbs and others that they 
could jiot understand. This jumble of 
unmeaning words it was argued by 



some of the parents would greatly dis- 
turb the studies of the other scholars, 
and the question was raised, whether 
such teaching should be allowed in the 
school. There had been some dissatis- 
faction in the district at the employ- 
ment of the stranger in preference to a 
local teacher who had applied for the 
place, and he with his friends seized 
upon this matter as the means of get- 
ting rid of a rival. They called a school 
meeting where the question of allow- 
ing grammar to be taught in the school 
was discussed. The minister with one 
or two others favored grammar, but 
the majority was against it, and it was 
voted that grammar should not be taught 
in the school, and that the teacher 
should be dismissed. 

It went abroad that it was also voted 
that no teacher should be employed 
that understood grammar, but that was 
not true ; no such vote as that was 
taken. The truth was disgraceful 
enough without this needless addition. 
The whole proceeding was, however, 
favorable to the progress of instruction 
in the district. The reaction of feel- 
ing by the pressure from without was 
irresistible. The opponents of gram- 
mar, themselves, became ashamed of 
what they had done, and the next year 
a teacher who was thought to be well 
qualified as a grammarian was employ- 
ed, grammar was taught without objec- 
tion and no other ante-grammar out- 
break was afterwards heard of." 

He read when quite young all the 
books that he could find or borrow in 
the vicinity, his preference being for 
history and biography. 

Mr. Hall, early in life, became in- 
terested in politics, favoring the Repub- 
lican party. At eighteen; he was active 
in the formation of the "Sons of Lib- 
erty," a society of the young men of 



BENNINGTON. 



85 



1 



Bennington for a vigorous prosecution 
of the war with P^ngland — 1812. He 
was one of the committee to draft tlie 
constitution of the Society and took a 
great interest in its meetings at which 
political questions were discussed. It 
continued in active life until after the 
war. 

Among the patriotic acts of this so- 
ciety was the procuring from the ladies 
of the vicinity 158 pairs of mittens and 
42 pairs of socks, which were in Jan. 
1814. presented to the 11th Regiment 
of U. S. soldiers which had been large- 
ly recruited in Vermont, and was then 
stationed ai Plattsburg, N. Y. 

The Society existed during the war. 
Its record book, over 60 pages of fools- 
cap size, is well preserved. Its last 
record is an account of its celebration 
of the Fourth of July 1815 ; at which 
there were an address, procession, din- 
ner and 1 8 toasts, the number then of 
the States in the Union. 

In 1824, 1828, Mr. Hall voted with 
the Republican party. In 1828, his 
party took the name of National Re- 
publican, which name was changed 
afterwards to Whig, to which part3' 
Mr. Hall belonged till in 1856, it was 
merged in the new Republican party, a 
name under which he begun his politi- 
cal life. 

He studied law and was admitted to 
the Bennington Count}^ Bar, Decem- 
ber, 1819. He established himself in 
practice in his native town, which he 
represented in the Legislature in 1827. 
He was Clerk of the Supreme and 
County Court for Bennington County, 
in 1828 ; was elected the State Attor- 
ney for the County in 1829, for which 
he was re-elected for the next three 
years. 



Of a generous disposition, easily 
turned aside when c(>llecting his own 
bills, thinking but little of money 
for its own sake, but using it freely 
for the necessary comfort of his fami- 
ly, at this time increasing in numbers ; 
and by answering calls of the needy 
and unfortunate, — a distinctive trait of 
his kindly character, an inability to turns 
away those who appealed for help, al- 
though he hardly knew where the next 
dollar was to come from ; resulting 
in early becoming involved in his pecu- 
niary relations, and for years living in 
a home heavily mortgaged, but which 
he was enabled to clear up in middle 
life, having never settled a debt at less 
than 100 cents on a dollar. 

And another trait which tended to 
lessen his yearly income was the con- 
scientious e?cpression to his clients of 
his opinion of their cases, that pre- 
vented or stayed a prosecution that m 
some hands would have brought return 
fees, adding much to the income of an 
attorne}' ; but gave confidence to those 
for whom he was engaged, as they nev- 
er had reason to fear he would be tam- 
pered with by opposite council, or 
their cases in any way be jeopardized 
by him for want of integrity. 

And the opinion obtained to quite an 
extent, that the side he was engaged on 
would prevail from the inherent jus- 
tice it was undoubtedly possessed of. 

In January 1833, he was chosen a 
representative in Congress to supply the 
vacancy occasioned by the death of 
Hon. Jonathan Hunt, and took his seat 
the 2l8t of that month, daring the ex- 
traordinary excitement growing out of 
Mr. Calhoun's South Carolina nullifica- 
tion ordinance, and witnessed the fail- 
ure of that first serious effort at dis- 
union. 



S6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



At the same election, Mr. Hall was 
chosen a member to the 23d Congress, 
which commenced, December 1834. — 
The district then comprised the coun- 
ties of Bennington and Windham with 
seven towns in Windsor County, viz : 
Audover, Baltimore, Cavendish, Ches- 
ter, Ludlow, Springfield and Weston. 
This district, he represented in Con- 
gress for ten successive years, receiv- 
ing as a National Republican and Whig, 
five different elections by large majori- 
ties. His congressional service termi- 
nated. Mar. 3, 1843, he having de- 
clined being longer a candidate. 

In Congress, Mr. Hall was a work- 
ing rather than a talking member, but 
occasionally made political speeches ; — 
among tht^m one in 1834, against Gen- 
eral Jackson's removal of the govern- 
ment deposites from the United States 
Bank, and another in 1836 in favor of 
the distribution of the proceeds of the 
public lands among the states, which 
measure was in effect consummated at 
that session in the distribution of sur- 
plus revenue, by which nearly $ 700. 
000 were received by the State of Ver- 
mont and added to the school funds of 
the towDS of the state. Both of these 
speeches were pamphleted and exten- 
sively circulated, and the former was 
reprinted in New York prior to the suc- 
ceeding state election as a campaign 
document. 

CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE SERVICE. 

But the speaking of Mr. Hall in Con- 
gress was in general of a business char- 
acter, to influence the votes of mem- 
bers on pending questions. His work 
on committees, first on that of the post- 
office and post-roads, after on revolu- 
tionary claims, was onerous and severe, I 
his printed reports covering several vol- 1 
iimes of public documents. In 1836, j 



while a member of the post-office, he 
presented a minority report in opposi- 
tion to the message of the President 
and report of the Post-Master-Gener- 
al which had reccommended the enact- 
ment of a law making it a penal ofience 
to transmit by mail into any of the 
Southern states, printed matter against 
the institution of slavery, termed "in- 
cendiary publications." * * Showing 
the great difficulty and danger of such 
legislation, the report of Mr. Hall took 
the ground that it would be an infringe- 
ment of the liberty of the press, and 
a violation of the constitution, which 
had conferred no power on Congress to 
look into publications and prescribe 
what opinions should and what should 
not be admitted into the mails, or be 
the subject of mail transmission. The 
report was signed by Mr. Hall and the 
Hon. George N. Briggs, afterwards the 
Governor of Massachusetts, but as the 
majority of the committee failed to 
make their report, it did not become a 
public document. It was however in*in- 
ted in the National Intelligencer at 
Washington, in New York and other 
papers. 

Mr. Hall's services were especially 
important in committees and also in 
debate, in exposing wasteful and ex- 
travagant expenditui-es. While on the 
postoffice committee, he took an active 
and prominent part in framing and 
procuring the passage of the act of Ju- 
ly 2d 1836 which made a radical change 
in the organization of the post-office 
department and provided an effectual 
system for the settlement of its compli- 
cated accounts by which an alarming 
series of frauds that had caused a very 
great drain on the treasury was broken 
up, and an honest and economical ad- 
ministration of its affairs iraugurated 
and secured. 



BENNINGTON. 



87 



MEETING VIRGINIA CONGRESS CLAIMS. 

His successful efforts in relation to 
onf; class of claims deserves a more 
particular notice, as well, for the large 
amount involved, as for the powerful 
influence and bitter opposition he Avas 
•obliged to overcome in exposing tLeir 
unfounded and fraudulent character. 



For several years there had been 
passing through congress with little op- 
position, numerous claims founded on 
alleged promises of the legislature of 
Virginia, or of the Continental Con- 
gress, to Virginia olficers of the Rev- 
olutionary army some of them denom- 
inated Commutation Claims, some half 
pay and some bounty-land claims, but 
all depending upon similar evidence to 
sustain them. In satisfaction of these 
claims there had already been drawn 
from the treasury over three millions, 
nearly all of which had been paid for 
supposed services of deceased Virginia 
officers, and still, were pending before 
"congiess claims to the amount of more 
than another million, and their number 
and amount were continually increas- 
ing. By a patient and laborious exam- 
ination of the Revolutionary archieves 
in the depa«'tment at Washington, with 
some information he derived from the 
public records at Richmond, he became 
satisfied that the great mass of the 
claims already paid was unfounded and 
those that were still pending were, if 
possable, still more worthless. In order 
to bring the subject fully before con- 
gress, he obtained the appointment of 
a select committee of which he was 
made chairman. He prepared a report 
unfavorable to the claims, which Avas 
approved by the committee and pre- 
sented to the House, Feb. 27, 1839, 
with the usual motion that it be laid on 
the table and printed. Contrary to the 



uniform jjractice in such cases, the 
printing the report was vehemently op- 
posed by the Virginia deligation. Af- 
ter obstructing the action of the House 
during the morning hour of that day, 
by dilatory motions and debate, they 
found the members impatient to order 
the printing under the previous ques- 
ion, upon which, as a last resort, Mr. 
Wise of Virginia called for the read- 
ing of the report, which by strict rule 
he had a right to require before voting 
upon it. The reading of the report was 
commenced and was continued through 
the morning hours of Feb. ibth and 
Mar. 1st, within two days of the close 
of the session, when the pressure of 
other bn.'-iness prevented its being fin- 
ished. 

Wise's unexampled hostile call for 



Mr, 

the reading had its designed effect of 
smothering the report for that con- 
gress. 

The next session of Congress, Mr. 
Hall became a member of the commit- 
tee of Revolutionary claims, and soon 
afterward its chairman. Apr. 24, 1840, 
he made a report from that committee 
on the bounty land and commutation 
claims of the Virginians, similar to tl e 
one which had been suppressed at the 
close of the previous congress, which 
showed by authentic documentary ev- 
idence that every one of those allow- 
ances was unfounded. The efforts of 
the Virginians to obtain Revolutionary 
allowances, especially for officers hour- 
ties under an old law of their state, 
being still continued. Mr. Stanly of 
North Carolina, June 10, 1842, offered 
a resolution directing the committee of 
Revolutionary claims to examine and 
report on their validity, which resolu- 
tion he afterward modified b}' substi- 
tuting a select committee for that on 
Revolutionarv claims. This was done 



88 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



on complaint that Mr. Hall, the chair- 
man of the standing committee, was 
unreasonably and unjustly prejudiced 
and would not give the claimants a fair 
hearing. On the 16th of June, Mr. 
Hall, having obtained the floor spoke 
an hour in vindication of his course in 
regard to the claims, showing by un- 
doubted documentary evidence thai 
they were all, collectively and individu- 
ally, either wholly fraudulent or clear- 
ly unfounded on any Revolutionary 
service to sustain them; and he closed 
his remarks by presenting a list of the 
names of 64 claimants, whose claims 
amounted to over $200,000, and com- 
prised all of the latest of those claims 
that had been reccommeuded for pay- 
ment by the Executive of Virginia, and 
were included in the bill then pending 
in the House. 

He said every one of them was bad, 
and offered to abandon his opposition 
to the claims if any member would 
satisfy the House that any single claim 
was well founded. His remarks were 
commented upon by many of the Vir- 
ginians, and among them Messrs. Gog- 
gin, Goode and Gilmer, in speeches of 
an hour each, which were all highly 
laudatory of the patriotism of Virgini- 
ans and her Revolutionary heroism, but 
none of them ventured any attempt to 
show the validity of a single claim. 

The speech of Mr. Gilmer in partic- 
ular was of an aggressive and extreme- 
ly personal character towards Mr. Hall, 
and was sharply replied to by him, in 
which his attacks were effectually re- 
pelled. Whereupon, Mr. Hall made a 
further exposure of the claims and 
showed that Mr. Gilmer, who had been 
governor of Virginia, had originated 
them by inducing the legislature of the 
state to reccommeud their payment by 



congress when they were well known to 
be entirely worthless ; that he had as 
agent of the half-pay claimants, whose 
claims weie equally invalid, first pre 
sented them to congress, and that he 
was by a law of the state entitled to 
one per cent, on all that should be paid 
by the United States, on which he had 
already received over $12,000, and 
was entitled to a like allowance on all 
future payments. This debate occupi- 
ed the morning hours of several days, 
and having the numerous delegation 
of Virginia on one side and a single 
member from another state on the oth- 
er and being in a great degree of a 
personal character, attracted very gen- 
eral attention. The vindication of Mr. 
Hall, which was full and complete, and 
overwhelming to his assailiints, was lis- 
tened to with unusual interest, and was 
also the subject of general newspaper 
notice and comment. 

Ex-president Adams, who was a 
member of the House at the time, men- 
tions the debate in his diary as follows : 

'^June 16th 1 842. Stanly moved the 
appointment of a select committee to 
investigate the expenditure on account 
of Virginia Military Bounty land war- 
rants from which sprang up a debate, 
and'Hiland Hall opened a hideous sink 
of corruption until he was arrested by 
the expiration of the morning hour. 

June 21st. Gilmer growled an hour 
against Hall for detecting and expos- 
ing a multitude of gross frauds perpe- 
trated in the claims relating to the Vir- 
ginia land warrants. 

"June 22d. Goggin scolded an hour 
against Hiland Hall, and W. O. Goode 
took the floor to follow him. 

June 24th. W. O. Goode followed 
the Virginia pack against Hall. James 
Cooper moved the previous question, 
but withdrew it at the request of Mr. 
Hall, to give him opportunit}" to reply 
to the Virginia vituperation. 



BENNINGTON- 



89 



June 25th. Hiland Hall took the 
morning hour to flay Gilmer and the 
Virginia Military land warrants." 

This thorough exix)sure of these 
claims, and the marked rebuff of their 
champions, followed as it soon after 
was by a full history and condemna- 
tion of them in detail in a report by 
Mr. Stanly's select committee, opera- 
ted as a final extinguisher of them. — 
Mr. Hall was a member of the select 
committee, and the report had by di- 



get'erals. On full examination of the 
statutes Mr. Hall came to the conclu- 
sion that judicial authority nad been 
designedly conferred on the accounting 
officers as a check upon lavish expen- 
ditures in the departments, and it was 
as much their duty to disallow claims 
not sanctioned by a law, as it was of 
a court of justice. The question being 
one of importance, the opinion of the 
Comptrollor was published in pamphlet 
and it is understood has since been ac- 



rection of the committee, been prepar- ! cepted and followed in the several de 



ed and made to the House by him. 

** ******** 

For an account of the claims and 
correspondence in full, see report No. 
485, second session, 27th Congress. — 
It is believed there were few or no fur- 
ther allowances by the department. 

Mr. Hall was Bank Commissioner 
of Vermont for four ^jears from 1843, 
Judge of the Supreme Court for the 
like period until 1850. when he was 
appointed Second Comptrollor of the 
United States Treasury, his duties be- 
ing to revise and "finally adjust" all 
accounts with the government of offi- 
cers and others in the War and Navy 
departments after they had been stated 
and passed upon by the second, third 
and fourth auditors. A claim came 
before hitn founded on an expenditure 
that had been ordered by the head of a 
department whicli he thought was ille- 
gal, and the question arose whether he 
had authority to reject it. It was in- 
sisted in behalf of the claimant that 
the Secretary being his superior ofiicer 
and representing the President, the 
comptrollor was bound by his approval 
and had no power to disallow it. In 
support of this doctrine a labored writ- 
ten ai'gument was presented, and it 
appeared to be sanctioned by the pub- 
lished opinion of three former attorney 



partments, as a just expusition of the 
law on the subject, and recently a sec- 
ond edition of the same has been print- 
ed for the use of the Departments. 

In 1851, at the solicitation of Presi- 
dent Fillmore, he accepted the office 
of Land Commissioner for California, 
his associates being Gen. James Wilson 
of New Hampshire and Judge Harry 
I. Thornton of Alabama. The duties 
of the commission were to adjust the 
claims to land under the treaty of Mex- 
ico, the titles of the owners as recog- 
nized by the Mexican laws having been 
guaranteed to them by that treaty. Mr. 
Hall was chairman of the commission 
and had charge of its funds, which he 
disbursed for its necessary expendi- 
tures which amounted to several hun- 
dred thousand dollars ; all of which 
was duly accounted for at the Treasu- 
ry Department. 

The contested land claims brought 
into full use the fitting qualifications 
which his habits of thought and inves- 
tigation through life had develoi^ed. 

Among the cases brought before 
this commission many of which were 
of great importance was the famous 
Mariposa claim of Gen. J. C. Free- 
mont, involving millions of dollars, and 
in the adjustment and settlement of 
which the application of law involved. 



90 



THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 



included almost without exception all , to this assumed action of the court was 
points that would be liable to arise in I ^^ follows: 

the adjucation of similar claims. The "With a strong habitual reverence for 
opiniou of the commissioners was in Judicial authority, when exercised with 



this case written by Mr. Hall, and the 
points were so fully and clearly eluci- 
dated, that many eminent jurists have 
written him expressing their admira- 
tion of the document. 

On the accession of President Pierce, 
new commissioners were appointed, and 
Mr, Hall at the solicitation of hi'? son- 
in-law, Trenor W. Park of the firm of 
Halleck, Peachy, Billings and Park, 
then a prominent law firm in San Fran- 
cisco, remained with them for a time 
as general adviser, and to assist in the 
preparation of briefs and other impor- 
tant law papers. In the spring of 1854, 
he returned to Vermont, and resuming 
his residence on the farm in Benning- 
ton on which he was born, retired from 
the further practice of his profession. 

Mr. Hall was a member of the con- 
vention which met at Philadelphia in 
1856 and gave the Republican Party 
a national character, by nominating 
candidates for the presidency and vice 
presidency. In 1858 and 1859 he was 
elected Governor of the State by that 
party by a large majority. 

The Governor in his first message 
besides calling the attention of the leg- 
islature to the local affairs of the State, 
spoke in decided condemnation of the 
then recent attempt of the majority 



in its appropriate sphere for the de- 
termination ( f individual rights, I con- 
fess, I have not a high regard for it, 
when sought to be extended to politi- 
cal questions. The history of our par- 
ent country furnishes many examples 
of judges, learned and eminent, whose 
extra judicial opinions were sought and 
obtained by the government for the 
purpose of crushing out the rising spir- 
it of liberty among the people. Indeed 
for the character of the judicial ermine 
it is to be lamented, that judges of dis- 
tinguished legal attainments have often 
been found giving countenance to op- 
pression and wrong by ingenious and 
lanciful constructions and that English 
liberty has been fixed upon its present 
firm foundations, not by the aid of ju- 
dicial efforts, but by overcoming them. 
There is reason to hope that the extra- 
judicial opinions of the judges in the 
Dred Scott case, contrary as they are to 
the plain language of the constitution, 
to the facts of history and to the dic- 
tates of common humanity, will meet 
the fate which lias attended those of- the 
judges of the parent country, and that 
liberty will be established in spite of 
them." 

In his last message in 1859, he thus 
announces his determination to retire 



of the judges of the Supreme Court of i from further public service 



the United States, in furtherance of the 
wishes of President Bucahnau and his 



'In closing this ray last annual mes- 
sage, I cannot withhold the expression 



advisers to fasten upon the country by j of my grateful thanks to the freemen 
judicial sanction the new and extra- 1 of the State for the confidence which 
ordinary doctrine that the constitution they have on all occasions so j,enerous- 
itself legalized slavery in the territories I ly manifested towards me ; and I beg 
and that congress consequently had no • to assure them that in retiring from 
power to prevent its introduction. — ' public lifo at the end of the present 
The language of the message in regard political year, I shall carry with me 



BENNINGTON. 



91 



the warmtst and most heartfelt wishes 
for the continual prosperity of the State, 
and for the welfare and happiness of 
its people." 

He, however, consented to act as 
one of the commissioners to the fruit- 
less "Peace Congress" which on tlie 
call of Virginia assembled in Wash- 
ington in Februaiy 1861, on the eve of 
the Rebellion, and was chairman of the 
delegation from Vermont. 

On the breaking out of tlie Rebellion 
in 1861, he felt it his duty to do all 
in his power to uphold the integrity and 
unity of the government, and his time, 
energies and means, to a large extent, 
were from the first devoted to aid in 
crushing it. 

He at once favored the speedy for- 
warding of men, and assisted in the 
formation of companies, volunteering 
assistance to some families which would 
be left behind in needy circumstances, 
drawing the pay ; taking care of money 
coming from or being sent to soldiers, 
and when bounties were paid, in the 
placing in the safest manner such moTi- 
ey that it should best meet the wants 
of the enlisting party ; all showing a 
deep interest in the preservation of the 
Union, the value of which in his esti- 
mation was increased, no doubt, by inti- 
mate association for a long period in 
Congress with such statesmen as Web- 
ster, Clay, Adams, Giddings, Stevens 
and a host of others, when the doctrine 
of nullifiction or disunion was being 
advocated by Calhoun and his associ- 
ates, that slaver}^ and state rights might 
be sustained and perpetuated. His anx- 
iety continued during the war and not 
until the surrender at Appomattox 
Court House, did lie feel that his oi 
the vigilence of uny other man should 
in the least relax. 



One of his sons, Nathaniel B., "was 
Major of the 14th Regiment of Volun- 
teers, and in the Battle of Gettysburg. 
He sent substitutes for four other sons 
and himself when the need for men 
seemed imminent, and the bounty had 
reached $ 400. each, besides the State 
pay and bounty. 

In American history, Mr. llnll had 
a deep interest, and especially in that 
connected with the territory and State 
of Vermont. 

He was for 6 3^ ears from 1859, Pres- 
ident of the Vermont Historical Socie- 
ty and was afterwards active in the- 
preparation and the arrangement ot 
materials for the two published volumes 
of its collection, and in otherwise pro- 
moting its usefulness and success. — 
He has read several papers at meetings 
of the Society which have been publish-^ 
ed, among them, one in 1869, in vindi- 
cation of Col. Ethan Allen as the hero 
of Ticonderoga, in refutation of an 
attempt made in the Galaxy Magazine 
to rob him ol' that honor. 

He has contributed papers to the 
Nevv York Historical Magazine, to the 
Vermont Historical Gazetteer, to the 
Philadelphia Historical Record, and al- 
so to the New England Historic Gene- 
ological Register. His contribution 
to the Vermont Gazetteer, made in 
1860, being a summary history of his 
native town, Bennington. 

In 1860 he also read before the New 
York Historical Society a paper show- 
ing "Why the inhabitants of Vermont 
disclaimed the jurisdiction of New 
York, and estjiblished a separate gov- 
ernment." 

In 1868, his "Early History of 
Vermont," a work of over 500 pages 
was published by J. Munsill, Albany,, 
in which the controversy of its early 



52 



'VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



inhabitants with New York, and their 
struggle for the establishment of their 
state independence, as well as their 
valuable services in the cause of their 
common country during the Revolu- 
tionary war, are largely treated, and 
the necessity of their separation from 
the government of New York, in or- 
der to maintain the title to their land 
and preserve their liberty is very free- 
ly shown. 

Govenor Hall was very prominent 
in his exertions to have a suitable cele- 
bration of the Battle of Bennington 
•and for the erection of a creditable 
monument to the heroes of the victory, 
and in securing for both the favorable 
action of the state Jegislature, and also 
in subsequently promoting their suc- 
cessful accomplishment. A few months 
before the celebration in 1877, he pre- 
pared a clear and full description of the 
battle with an account of its important 
■consequences which was extensivel}' 
published in newspapers and pamphlets, 
a copy of which has a place in the offi- 
cial account of the Centennial Cele- 
''j ration. 

The University of Vermont in 1859 
-eonfered on him the degree of L L. D. 
He was a life member and Vice Presi- 
dent for Vermont of the New PZngland 
Historic Geneological Society, honora- 
Ty member of the Buffalo and corres- 
ponding member of [the New 'York 
Historical .'•ocieties. 

THE GOVEROR's FAMILY. 

HiLAND HALL of Bennington and 
TROLLY TUTTLE DAVIS of Rockingham, 
Vermont were married in 1818. 
Children and grandchildren : 
M. Carter Hall, born March 7th, 
1820, married Sophia B. Deming, Apr. 
20, 1844, died, June 15, 1881. His 
•children were Frances Helen, who left 



a son and daughter ; Samuel Baker, who 
has four suns ; and Sophia Deming. 

Eliza Davis Hall, born August 29, 
1821, married Adin Thayer, Jr., Nov. 
29, 1842, died, Aug. 10, 1843. 

Henry Davis Hall, born May 5, 1823, 
married Caroline E» Thatcher, March 
24, 1847; his children, Eliza Davis, 
who has four sons and one daughter ; 
Charles Henry ; Caroline T., who has 
three sons and one daughter; Hiland, 
who left one son ; and William Carrol. 
Hiland Hubbard Hall, born Jan. 19, 
1825, married Jane A. Waters, Sep. 19, 
1849, died, Dec. 9 1851, 

Nathaniel B. Hall, born, September 
2, 1826, married Martha B. Rouse, 
Feb. 25, 1850; his children: Harriett 
Bostwick, who has three sons; Hiland; 
Harry R. who has one daughter ; Dolly. 
Laura V. Hall, born, Jan. 27, 1828, 
married Trenor W. Park, December 
15, 1846, died, June 21, 1875; her 
children: PJiza Hall, who has one son 
and three daughters ; Laura H., who 
has one son and one daughter; and 
Trenor Luther. 

John V. Hall, born, Feb. 10, 1831, 
married Nelly E. Lyman, Sep. 5, 1860 ; 
his children : Florence, who has one 
daughter; and Edward J. He married 
2d, Lucinda R. Holley, Dec. 30, 1880. 
Charles Hall, born, Nov. 18, 1832, 
married JaneE. Cady, September 1856, 
child. Laura v., who has one daughter; 
He married, 2d, Mina Phillips ; chil- 
dren : Trenor Park, Mary Densy and 
Charles H. 



The Golden Wedding 

of the HON. MR. & MRS. HILAND HALL 

was celebrated at North Bennington, 
October 27, 1868, from 2 to 5, P. M. 
Golden Wedding Geusts, about three 
hundred present : An early teacher of . 



BENNINGTON. 



93 



Mr. Hall, aged 85 years; two wh<t 
were present at the first wedding, re- 
spectively aged 73 years, 69 years. — 
It appears Mr. Hall's was the fourth 
generation to which successively had 
been perniitted a golden wedding by a 
kind Providence. 

Rev. Isaac Jennings was presents 
offering a prayer and reading Proverbs 
the 31st chapter from the 10th verse 
"with personal reference to Mrs. Hall, 
the beautiful appropriateness of which 
was warmly accorded by those pres- 
ent, an illustration of verses 19 and 20, 
being the scores of socks knit by her 
from }'arn f;pun by herself and sent in 
the packages with other comfortable 
things to the soldiers in front during 
the war. 

The sixtieth anniversary of their 
wedding came Sunday, October 1878, 
their ages being respectively 83 and 86. 
Crowned with another decade of years 
since the grand anniversary, still more 
venerable and happj', this precious an- 
niversary was observed by attendance 
on divine services at the Congegational 
C'hiu'ch in" North Bennington of which 
31 rs, Hall was a member. A very 
beiutifully arranged basket of flowers 
v.jis upon the table in front of the pul- 
pit, the gift of very dear friends. At 
the close of the sermon allusions were 
made to the unusal length of time they 
hnd been permitted to live together, 
and fitting remarks were made, tend- 
ing to impress the sacredness of the 
marriage relation. 

The parents of Mrs. Hall, Henry 
Davis and Mary Tuttle lived together 

sixty years, less three daj'S. 

i\Irs. Hall had patriotic blood in her 
veins. Her father was a Revolutionary 
hero. He enlisted before he was 
seventeen into the Revolutionary ser- 



vice. He was at the Battle of Bunker 
Hill under Colonel Stark, at the line of 
fence where the enemy were repeatedl}^ 
repulsed with great loss and also, served 
at West Point at the time of Arnold's 
treasonable attempt to surrender it to 
the enemy ; serving in the Revolution- 
ary war over three years. 

Mrs. Hall, as a woman, was remark- 
able for strength of mind and personal 
beauty, and in company drew attention 
b}'^ her high social qualifications. She 
enjoyed the confidence and esteem of 
her neighbors and friends, and richl}'^ 
deserved the approbation she received 
for her successful management in the 
raising so large a family, mostly boj's, 
her husband during the formation pe- 
riod of their lives, being so much ab- 
sent upon public, official business. She 
never gi'ew old in her feelings, but en- 
tered into the sports of her children 
Avith a zest which carried them with 
her in the object in which she consid- 
ered such pastimes should be indulged 
in, though a dignity was always main- 
tained in the most familiar recreations 
which tended to elevate. 

The wants of the needy received her 
attention, and by her benevolence and 
uniform efforts she did much to en- 
hance the comfort and happiness of 
others. For nearly fiftj' years she was 
an exemplary member of the Congrega- 
tional church in Bennington, and died 
confidently trusting in the t^ hristiaii's 
hope. 

THE NINETIETH BIRTHDAY 
( July 20, 1885. ) 

of the now very venerable Governor 
was celebrated at the residence of bis 
grand-daughter, Mrs. J. G McCuUough 
and her husband, Gen'l. McCullough, 
there being present fift3'-one of his de- 
scendants, while five more were de- 
tained from the pleasant gathering. 



9-1 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



The difference in the ages of the 
oldest and the youngest was 89 years 
and 8 months. The Bennington Ban- 
ner of July 23d says of the occasion : 

"None seemed to enjoy themselves 
more than he whose birthday anniversa- 
ry was thus celebrated. Although hav- 
ing reached this advanced age, he still 
retains his bodily health and vigor, 
with all his mental faculties uninpaired. 
Congratulations flowed in, in large 
numbers, in many instances accompa- 
nied by floral offerings, a great portion 
coming from friends at Bennington 
Centre, where the recipient spent the 
larger part of his business and public 
life. These offerings, seemed specially 
grateful to him, coming as they did 
from his old neighbors and their de- 
scendants. An elegant basket of fruit 
and flowers from a niece in Boston was 
specially admired. Tables were spread 
in the spacious dininir-room and hall, 
and all were seated and entertained with 
a banquet which did credit to the weU- 
known hospitality of the host and host- 
ess, the venerable Governor presiding 
at the board, and enlivening it with his 
humorous remarks. At each plate were 
cards whereon a skillful and loving hand 
had sketched in water colors a faithful 
picture of the old homestead, and its 
annexes still standing, and upon each 
card a striking photographic likeness 
of the common ancestor. 

The repast being ended, the Govern- 
or addressed his assembled descendants 
with an interesting talk which will ever 
be remembered by them, and which 
brought the sons and grandsons, by 
blood and marriage, one after another 
to their feet, in a lively encountre of 
wit and fun. The evening closed with 
pleasant chat and social enjoyment, 
when the geusts departed, every one 
feeluig that it was good to be there, and 



wishing that the useful and honored 
life of their beloved ancestor might be 
long spared to them and to his many 
friends-" 

Governor Hall died in Springfield, 
Mass. at the home of his son, Charles, 
with whom he was spending the winter, 
Dec. 18, 1885. He retired, apparently, 
in usual health on the night of the 17th 
and was heard in the morning to open 
the register for more warmth as was the 
custom, when a fall attracted the at- 
tention of the family; on going to the 
room, he was unable to rise, but gave 
directions for the caring for himself. 
He lived about two hours, the ma- 
chinery of the body seemingly having 
worn out, he being in his 91st year. 
His remains were taken to Bennington 
and interred in the cemetry at Centre 
Bennington, where he had for years 
previously, a lot prepared, where his 
beloved wife and most of his descend- 
ants, deceased, have been buiied. 

H. D. H. 
FROM THE BENNINGTON BANNER 

of the following week, — after the fu- 
neral of Govenor Hall, — omitting gen- 
erally, what has already been givcu in 
the biography. — Ed. 

"Within a day or two" of his death, 
"autograph letters had been received 
by the family here, and that morning, 
his grand-daughter in New York, Mrs. 
Gen. J. G. McCuUough, was in receipt 
of one stating that he expected to be at 
her house, as usual, on Christmas day. 
In the postscript, he humorously an- 
nounced the birth of his 22d great- 
grand-child." "The day before his 
death, he visited his son's store" — in 
Springfield, Mass. — and in the even- 
ing he wrote concerning business. On 
Saturday," the 19th, "his remains were 
brouo-ht to North Bennington. On 



BENNINGTON. 



Monday morning, the obsequies were 
jtttended from the residence of Gen. 
MeCollough ... a large number going 
over to North Bennington on a special 
train, and peopk- from all the surround- 
ing towns and from Rutland being pres- 
ent. The Bar of the Count}' attend- 
ed his funeral in a body ; the Rev. Isaac 
Jennings otficiated. The hymns were 
sung by Mr. and Mrs. N. B. Hall and 
John V, Hall. The four sons acted as 
bearers and laid the remains carefully 
and tenderly away in the confident ex- 
pectation of a blissful resurrection. 

''Henry Clark of Rutland contrib- 
utes : "In all the relations Gov. Hall 
has sustained to the country or state 
he has acquitted himself with credit. — 
As a judge, he was learned, upright 
and impartial ; as member of the Mex- 
ican claims in California, he saved the 
government millions of dollars . . . 
He retired, as he supposed, to his farm 
in Bennington in 1854. When the Re- 
publican party was born, 1854, 1856, 
Governor Hall's retirement came to a 
sudden end, and he represented Ver- 
mont in the first National Convention 
of the Republican party, which assem- 
bled in Philadelphia in 1856 and placed 
in nomination its first presidential tick- 
et "Fremont and Dayton." He enter- 
ed into the campaign with a will ai\d 
was elected governor of this State in 
1858, by the young party which was 
created to shape the destiny of this Re- 
public during the crucial period of its 
history. . . In his first message to the 
State Legislature, it appeared as it had 
shone before in his public utterances, 
he had "views" upon the famous Dred 
Scott case, [page 90,] and was not like 
many others, afraid to utter them, al- 
though a Governor of a state could not 
oflftcially effect anything other than to 
create public opinion. This was, more- 



95 

over, a subject which was shuned by 
professional politicians." -Throughout 
his whole career,' he was : 

"Amid the faithless, faithful found, 
In times that tried men's souls." 

"In the death of this venerable and 
extraordinary man, Vermont loses one 
of its most honored in public life and 
most useful of her citizens. In all that 
pertained to tne history of our State, 
there was not his equal living : in abili- 
ty to use these vast stores of research, 
he had no superior. Having been in 
public life more than half a centuary, 
and constantly associated with the lead- 
ing men of the nation, his school of ob- 
servation was vast and varied. His 
early taste for local history was a pas- 
sion through life, and his ever active 
and retentive memory made his mind a 
vast store-house of historic knowledge. 
He was acknowledged to be among the 
leading historians in New England. 

Men will speak of his death, not as 
one of unexpected occurrence, nor with 
the feeling that such events usually 
inspire. Long has he been a living link 
between the past and the present, with 
one foot planted in eternity and one 
uplifted for a waiting step into the spir- 
it-land, — while they have been glad at 
the lingering delay they have also wait- 
ed for it in a ki nd of willing expecta- 
tion, till they will go as pilgrims to his 
tomb with no wailing of broken hopes, 
but to cast the laurels of perpetual 
gratitude into his sepulchre." 

Governor Hall's "Earl}- History of 
Vermont" . . is an almost invaluable 
work. It is and will continue to be in 
some form the standard text-book of 
Vermont's early times. The modest 
preface says : His aim has been to em- 
body facts, and to state them with his 
views in intelligible language without 
making any pretensions to literary 



i,6 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



merit." Some of these "views" were 
to champion Ethan Allen, and to affirm 
the national importance of the Battle of 
Bennington, since conceded by all his- 
torians. Governor Hall wrote the rec- 
ord of Bennington in Mrs, Hemen way's 
Gazetteer of Vermont, and in that work 
there is a steel engraving of 'him in 
his prime. He also wrote for the Ben- 
nington Banner a "History of Ben- 
nington Battle" which was published 
during the centennial celebration and 
which is with contemporary portrait 
in Vermont's official pamphlet of the 
centennial. . . A complete collection 
of his writings would form a valuable 
work . 

Of his manhood's" days is said : His 
life when not on official duty abroad was 
passed in his Bennington home, the 
centre of an unostentatious hospitality 
which embraced the judges and chief 
men of the State, as the old-time coun- 
try living used to do. His associates on 
thf Supreme Bench of Vermont, were 
Judges : Stephen Ro3''ce, Isaac F. Red- 
field, Milo L. Bennett, Daniel Kellogg, 
Charles Davis and Luke P. Poland. — 
The family residence is situated upon 
the original Hall farm [of Thomas, of 
Hiland Hall,]and both the i)resent man- 
sion and the former unpretensious cot- 
tage have Avitnessed many notable gath- 
erings ; we mention three : the golden 
wedding ... to which all the elderly 
people in the vicinity were invited; the 
sixtieth anniversary, and the birthday 
reunion, July 20th of this year. [See 
before.] 

The Bennington County Bar held 
an "In Memoriam" meeting at their 
Court House on the evening of his 
death. Several members spoke briefly 
and feelingly. They voted to attend his 
funeral as a body and appointed a com- 
mittee of six to draft resolutions of 



respect to be submitted to a meeting 
to be held at Manchester, at the call of 
the Chair, during the June term. The 

Committee of Resolutions were : 

Hon. Tarrant Sibley of Bennington 
Centre, Hon. A. L. Miner of Manches- 
ter, Hon. James K. Batchelder of Ar- 
lington, Hon. Loveland Munson of 
Manchester, AVm. B. Sheldon, Esq. of 
Bennington, Thos. E. Brownell, Esq 
of Pownal. 

OF THE FUNERAL SERMON 

Tlie Rutland Review said : 

"Rev. Dr, Jennings, the intimate 
and long time friend of the deceased, 
delivered a markedly interesting dis- 
course. I'Cviewing liis life, services and 
character. He briefly sketched his an- 
cestry, the struggles of his youth — no- 
ting his public sevices in varied rela- 
tions — and concluded with touching al- 
lusion to the beautiful home life with 
his children, grand-children and great- 
grand-children as he sat a patriarch 
among them. . . . The address was 
relieved of over-wrought eulogy, it was 
the simple narrative, descriptive of an 
eminent man — coming from the heart 
of an appreciative friend who stood as 
among the siucerest mourners there. — 
The eulogv could have come no more 
fittingly than from the heart and lips of 
Doct. Jennings, v.dio knew Governor 
Hall's public and private life so well. 
At the conclusion of the discourse, a 
fervent, affectionate, tender prayer was 
offered." 

MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS 
Of The Bennington Historical 
Society. 

drafted BV rev. ISAAC JENNINGS. 
READ, AND ACCEPTED, AUG. 30, 1=86. 

Our duty as appointed to draft reso- 
lutions expressive of the loss sustained 
by this Society in the death of its 



BENNINGTON 



d7 



President, Ex-Gov. Hiland Hall sug- 
gests to us affeectingly at the first a 
special reference to his rare social char- 
acteristics. His intense individuality 
of judgement and conscience was com- 
bined to a remarkable degree with kind 
and frieudl^^ attentions to all. valuing 
friendship, grateful to others, incessant 
and unsparing in those things which 
go far to make up the warm and true 
relationship of mutual affection, esteem 
and love. 

Secondly. That he was an instructive 
example to all of tireless and well-di- 
rected industry, without which he could 
not have accomplished all that he did. 
We direct attention to his unflagging 
exertions that we may have good read- 
ing for our youth, and for our read- 
ers in general; to his unwearied labors 
in arranging and supplying and pre- 
serving and perfecting as far as possi- 
ble our important early local history — 
so rich in incidents so grand in action, 
and occupying so commanding a place 
in the formation and preservation of 
the National government. 

Thirdly. The ethical spirit was a 
dominating principle in him. It lead 
him to love the right and the true as 
he understood it, and to take his posi- 
tion for the same, and to maintain it. 
In political life, in Congress, and in 
historical controversies, in the heat of 
debate, he did indeed shun the bitterness 
of the time, but he had strong conclu- 
sions of his own arrived at by a re- 
search which left no stone unturned, 
no nook or corner uninvestigated ; and 
he did his duty accordingly. It Avas 
admirable and impressive to see bis 
characteristic modesty and childlike- 
ness of spirit, and yet, the indomita- 
ble purpose of truth, and duty rising 
with the occasion, growing more and 



more tenacious, unyielding and deter- 
mined. But especially did the respoi- 
abilitiesand potentcies of the civil state 
have a deep-felt power and charm for 
him. This fitted him so well for civil, 
public life, and lead him into it and on- 
ward and upward in it to the exalted 
public places of honor and trust in the 
gift of the State. This fitted him for 
making history as Avell as writing it. — 
We cannot doubt that had he lived in 
the days of Adams and Jefferson and 
Richard Henry Lee, he would have been 
an able and aj^preciated coadjutor with 
them in the use of his pen and of his 
earnest and inflexible voice and judge- 
ment in public councils for the cause of 
American independance ; for he had the 
sentiment, penetration and the nerve 
and the heart of fire if need be for the 
patriot's supreme respcinsibilit}'. 

Tlie dut}' of these resolutions is to 
note in the briefest compass, certain 
controlling elements in the character 
and life of tlie distinguished subject of 
them. We call special attention : 

Fourthly, to his historic spirit. Gov- 
ernor Hall AX as a born historian — and 
it may be added with still more empha- 
sis, a born Bennington and Vermont 
historian. In these words we have sug- 
gested what was pre-eminently the 
theme and passion of his studies, of his 
correspondence and other intercourse 
with intelligent and scholarly men and 
publishers and authors ; the object of 
his visits to historical localities ; the 
controlling subject of his thoughts, liis 
researches and his literary life. This 
drew him to the meetings of histori- 
cal bodies, to the libraries of the land 
where historical information suited to 
his purpose could i>e obtained. It made 
him the president and remarkably suc- 
cessful chief manager of the Vermont 



98 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Historical Society for so many years. 
It gave him prestige and authority with 
historical socities elsewhere; notably, 
those of Boston, New Ytu'k, and 
"Washington. 

His keen eye saw and his instinctive 
judgement comprehended the connec- 
tion between the past, the present and 
the future ; between principles adopted 
and their effect o:i the character and 
life of the community, the common- 
wealth and the nation for generations 
and ages to come. With the practised 
understanding and tlie patient and per- 
severing interest of the true scholar, he 
studied the past. He possessed a true 
and absorbing interest in our leading 
men; in our solemn public crises; in 
our heroic undertakings ; in our grand 
achievements ; in our sericnts public 
questions and controversies and mo- 
mentous issues. 

We have felt justified in classing our 
illustrious fellow-citizen with the gi'eat 
men of our i evolutionary period, who 
helped and did so much to make our 
National history. There is another re- 
semblance, as it is marked, to two of 
them, aiamely, in that his life was pro- 
tracted to an extreme old age which 
was passed in much happiness and -'.om- 
fort. The words used concerning them 
in this respect could be applied with 
propriety to the closing years of Gov- 
ernor Hall. Says Sir. Webster, respect- 
ing Mr. Jefferson or Mr. Adams, true 
alike : 

"From the time of his final retire- 
ment from public life, Mr. Jefferson 
lived as became a wise man surrounded 
by his affectionate friends, his ardor in 
the pursuit of knowledge undiminish- 
ed. With uncommon health and un- 
broken spirits he was able to enjoy 
largely tlie rational pleasures of life. 



and to partake of that public prosperi- 
ty which he had so much contributed 
to produce. 

There was that in tliem which office 
did not give and which the relinquish- 
ment of office did not and could not 
take aAvay. In their retirement in the 
midst of their fellow citizens, they en- 
joyed as high regard and esteem as 
when filling the most important places 
of public trust." 

We need not say how beautiful and 
appropriate tliese words of Mr. Web- 
ster are if taken out of their immedi- 
ate connection in which he used them 
and applied to Hiland Hall. This it is 
that is the sad thought of his death, it 
has removed one whose long life up to 
its prime and far beyond was the fitting 
itself more and moie for the invalua- 
ble tasks imposed upon it. But we bow 
without one complaining word to the 
over-ruling behests of an all wise and 
all righteous God, and desire hum- 
bly to record our gratitude for the re- 
markable preservation of the faculties 
of our friend — for the bright close of 
his life's day, whose sun went down <it 
length full orbed and unobscured. 

REV. ISAAC JENNINGS. 

BY HENRY D. HALL, ESQ. 

(Coropilecl and arranged from notices in 
the Bennington Bannei' and other sources.) 

The Venerable and most worthy 
Subject of this biography was born at 
Trumbull, Fairfield County, Ct., July, 
24,1822; while yet a mere lad, he re- 
moved to Derby in that State, and 
there his j^outh was passed. 

He was educated in the old New 
England manner, — an admirable sys- 
tem by the way, — common school, 
preparatory and collegiate course, grad- 
uating from Yale in the class of 1837. 
The thoroughness of this education is 



BENNINGTON. 



99 



apparent in all his future lite. In the 
class of '37 were such men as the Hon. 
Wra. M. Evarts of New York. Chief 
Justice Morrison R. Waite of the Uni- 
ted States Supreme Court, Hon. Ed- 
wards Pierpoint, the late Samuel J. 
Tilden and others. The fiftieth anni- 
versary of this class this year was an 
occasion of note in college circles. — 

Mr. Jennings attended The 

thoughtfulness of the pastor for his peo- 
ple appeared even amid the festivities 
of that occasion. His health was not 
good; expressions of doubt, as lo his a- 
bility to endure the fatigue induced him 
soon after arriving in New Haven, to 
write the Editor of the Banner that his 
■ friends here might know . . that he 
was feeling well and also to giv^e an 
outline of what was to be the enjoy- 
ments of the commencement week. 

As a key-note to Mr. Jennings fu- 
ture career, from the point of his entry 
upon active life ; we copy here some 
rules of living with an explanatory note 
from one of his sons: 

"The longer I live the more I feel the 
importance of adhering to the rules I 
have laid down for myself in relation 
to such matter? : 

1st. To hear as little as possablc to 
the prejudice of .others. 

2d. To believe nothing of the kind 
till I am absolutely forced to it. 

3d. Never to drink in the spirit of 
one that circulates an ill report. 

4th. Always to moderate as far as I 
can, the unkindness which is expressed 
against others. 

5th. Always believe that if the oth- 
er side were heard a very different ac- 
count would be given of the matter." 

(The foregoing is a copy of a time- 



worn newspaper cutting which has been 
pinned up on one of Mr. Jennings' book 
cases, in his study, ever since his fami- 
ly can remember ; probably for more 
than twenty years, and the rules there 
stated have alr^'ays, it is bcHeved been 
followed by him and are as character- 
istic as almost any other thing.-F. b. j.) 

With collegiate honors fresh upon 
him, Mr. Jennings taught school in 
Washington. Conn, in 1837, '38. He 
had charge of the Hopkins Grammar 
School in New Haven, in 1839, 40. In 
this school, one of the students was 
Dr. Timoth)' DAvight, now the revered 
President of Yale University. Teach- 
ing as a profession was not so much 
thought of in this country at that day 
and therefore, Mr. Jennings soon left 
that calling foe his preparation for the 
Christian ministry, studying theology 
at New Haven, and Andover, graduat- 
ing at AndoverTheo. Sem. in 1842. — 
We believe though earnest in his church 
work, he never lost his interest in 
schools. In Akion, O. where he com- 
menced his ministry, becoming pastor 
of the Second Congregational Church 
of that city, June 14, 1843, the ques- 
tion of better schools was then being 
agitated. Coming from' New England 
to this then comparatively new West- 
ern state, the young and energetic pas- 
tor was pained at the low state of the 
common schools of Ohio. He set a- 
bout reform, and to his eff-)rts were 
largely due the good results — the S3's- 
tem inaugurated, that of the graded 
schools, now so common everywhere. 
In Akron he left so much of an im- 
press upon their system of public edu- 
cation that he has since been styled in 
the Annual Reports of the Board of 
Education of that city, "The Father 
of our schools." 



LofC. 



100 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINPl 



He was several years superinten- 
dent — to the satisfaction of all — of the 
schools for the town of Bennington. — 
In his annual report, Apr. 1, 1876, he 
gives the condition of each school build- 
ing and the year's progress in every 
district. As a key-note to his high 
ideal of a teacher as the main instru- 
mentality for the greatest improve- 
ment, we quote : 

"The teacher is the main thing, more 
than school-house, more than wall- 
maps, globes and other appliances for 
illustration and other aid, though these 
are more than the house. Solve the 
problem of how to teach morality, by 
the teacher who is selected and employ- 
ed. Let the teacher be conspicuous and 
influential in goodness, in refinement 
and honor, and conscience. How the 
memory of such teachers abides with 
us. They are bright spots in the retro- 
spect of our childhood days, and the 
dajs of our early youth. There was a 
power in their inteHigence, and good- 
ness and kindness to us that made them 
to 1)6 treasured in our memories, and 
we ever love to think of them." 

Feb. 17, 1847, Mr. Jennings was 
married to Miss Sophia Day, just prior 
to his removal to Stamford, Ct., where 
he had received a flattering call to an 
important church in his native State. 
Mrs. Jennings, who survives her hus- 
band, was born in Mansfield, O., July 
31, 1826, and was married from the 
home of her parents, Mr, & Mrs. Mat- 
thias Day. Mr. Day was a native of 
New Jersey, his wife, Sophia, a daugh- 
ter of Judge Loomis of Thetford, Vt. 
This union of two families was a happy 
one. In all her husband's life work, 
Mrs. Jennings has taken a lively inter- 
est and rendered most efficient help. 

Mr. Jennings was installed in Stam- 
ford pastor of the first church where 
he remained 6 years and came to Ben- 
nington. Here the remainder of his 
life was passed. 



His long pastorate in this town forms 
a beautiful picture of church life, where 
a people have been lead out and in like 
a shepherd and his flock, in a typical 
"hill-side New England parish," as we 
have heard Mr. Jennings, himself say 
of other churches aitd other societies. 
With repeated opportunities to go to 
larger fields, and no doubt, with offers 
of larger financial gains, he steadil}' re- 
fused to leave his people in historic 
Bennington, prefering to live and die 
among them. In so doing his life as a 
minister of the Gospel illustrates the 
possibilities for good consequent upon 
a more fixed tenure of the pastoral re- 
lation, — with our bustling and chang- 
ing American life an idea almost blot- 
ted out; the true one in our estimation, 
shown by the exceptions, among which 
the present is most marked. 

He succeeded such pastors as Rev. 
Drs. Absolom Peters, Daniel A. Clark, 
and Edward W. Hooker, among whom 
in culture and influence, he shone with 
lustre; and had for many years as asso- 
ciates, in the near village of Benning- 
ton, Rev. C.H. Hubbard, E.G. Reed and 
C. B. Halbert, D. D. with whom he ev-. 
er sustained the most helpful and kind- 
est Christian relations. 

Mr. Jennings travelled in Europe in 
1859. . . . He returned with fresh vig- 
or and enlarged powers to his life 
work. As a clergyman he was a model 
pastor to an eminent degree. It takes 
a 4'emarkable man to be the love^l pas- 
or of a Bennington church for a third 
of a century, and at its close, to retain 
he hold he had even then upon his 
people. 

The "Memorials of a centuary" is 
probably the best known of any of 
Mr. Jennings writings. It will go 
down to posterity as a history of Ben- 
nington as well as that of the Old First 



BENNINGTON. 



101 



Church. The pains-taking character of 
the historian is shown in the large a- 
mount of detail in the work. Geneal- 
ogies are proverbial!}^ difficult to ob- 
tain, and many errors will invariably 
creep in, but the great value of the Me- 
morials largely lies in this very charac- 
teristic, which is divested of mistakes 
to a wonderful degree. The sketches 
of the early settlers therein are written 
fearlessly and judiciously, and it is to 
be regretted that a revised edition was 
not published during the life time of 
the author. 

Mr. Jennings was a frequent con- 
tributor to the religious press of his 
denomination, and a not unknown vis- 
itor in the local sanctum. The last wri- 
ting he did was to prepare "An Ab- 
stiact of Officials' Acts and Proceed- 
ings," of the Battle Monument Associ- 
ation, which was placed iu the corner 
stone. 

The people of all this vicinity have 
gathered in the Old Church to hear an- 
niversary discourses from its pastor. 

[One of the most remarkable pulpit 
efforts of Mr. Jennings was his Cen- 
tennial Discourse delivered in the Old 
Church on its one hundredth anniver- 
sary, Jan. 4, 1863. The edifice was 
crowded to its utmost capacity. Sing- 
ers from the several churches in town, 
assisted . . and notwithstanding the 
discourse occupied more than two hours 
in its delivery, and when one hour had 
elapsed invitation was given by the 
speaker for those who might wish to 
retire from the audience, to do so, not 
an individual left the house until the 
conclusion, g. w. r. — ] 

HIS RELATIONS TO THE BENNINGTON 
BATTLE MONUMENT. 

From the inception of the enter- 
prise to erect a suitable battle monu- 



ment, Mr. Jennings took great interest. 
He Avas a member of the Association 
and secretary of the Board of Directors. 

HIS LAST PUBLIC ACT. 

On the 16th of August, 1887, as the 
rays of the western sun shone out 
from cloud-rifts which had threatened 
rain, facing the east, "the source of 
light," a solemn stillness came over an 
immense throng of people as an aged 
clergyman stepped to the front to pro- 
nounce the benidiction which was to 
close the ceremonies of the laying of 
the corner stone of the Bennington 
Battle Monument. The face was a 
familiar one to many of the thousands 
who thus paused to receive his last 
blessing. The picture will be engrav- 
ed upon the minds of multitudes as 
they read these lines for it was the 
last public utterance ere those lips were 
sealed and the freed spirit sped away 
to Paradise. The occasion will be 

memorable This benediction 

closed the ceremonies of a Fraternity 
which inculcates the immortality of the 
soul and the resurrection of tiie body. 
All that had preceded the last act had 
been based upon this fundamental prin- 
ciple of the Christian religion. The halo 
of the rays of the departing sun 
was prophetic of the end so soon to 
come to one of the participators in this 
historic event. The ground upon which 
he stood was historic ; that upon which 
the first 16th of August orator stood in 
1778. Noah Smith was also a gradu- 
ate of Yale. He had at that early day 
predicted that succeeding generations 
would know of the importance of the 
conflict of the then previous year, and 
in coming time would suitably mark the 
spot. 

HIS LAST PASTORAL ACT 

was the marriage of one of his flock. 
September 6, 1853, he married James 



102 



THE VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Manning and Jane E. Robinson, his 
first mWriage in Bennington; Aug. 19, 
1887, he married Harriet L. Morgan 
and A. Buel Sibley, his last pastoral 
act. His first funeral was that of Mrs. 
Pliny Dewey of Bennington Centre, 
who died, June 2, 1853, aged 72 years ; 
the last that of Mrs. Benj. R. Sears, 
July 5, 1887. 

THE CHILDREN of the Rev. Isaac 
Jennings familj^ ; six of whoip and 
Mrs, Jennings, survive the death of 
Mr, Jennings. 

Isaac Jr. horn in Stamford, Ct., 
Apr. 30,1848; gi-aduated at Williams 
College. 1871 ; married to Mary E., 
daughter of Rev. Stephen C. Leonard, 
D. D. of Rushville, N. Y., Dec. 13, 
1871 ; installed pastor of first Presby- 
terian church, Elmira, N. Y., Dec. 4, 
1884. 

"Walter Loomis, born in Stamford, 
Ct.,July6, 1850, died in Stamford, Ct. 
Oct. 16, 1850, 

Sophia Day. born in Stamford, Ct., 

Aug. 4, 1851 ;died in Bennington, Jan. 

11, 1861 ; a bright and interesting child 

whose death was a sad affliction to her 

parents. 

Frederick Beach, an attorney, born 
in Bennington, Aug. 6, 1854; gradua- 
ted at Williams College, 1872 ; and 
married to Laura H., daughter of Hon. 
Trenor W. Park, July 27, 1880. 

Matthias Day, born in Bennington, 
Jan. 8, 1857 ; died in Bennington, Dec. 
25, 1860. 

Charles Green Rockwood, physician, 

orn in Bennington, Nov. 17, 1859 ; 

graduated at Harvard College, 1879 ; 

married to Mary Jeannette, daughter 

ci Iltn. A. Gardner, Sept. 8, 1885. 

Robert Gould, born in Bennington, 
Mar. 28,1862. 



Philip Burton, born in Bennington, 
Dec. 7, 1865. 

William Bigelow, born in Benning- 
ton, July 20, 1871. 

THE DEATH OF REV. ISAAC JENNINGS 

occurred, Aug. 25, 1887. He was not 
confined to his bed but a few days be- 
fore his death, but had been a great 
sufferer at times for months prior from 
a stone of large dimensions in the blad- 
der. The stone was removed by Dr. 
Cabot of Boston, the afternoon before 
his death. He rallied for about two 
hours and then sank under it. Thus at 
the age of 72 years and one month, 
with the vigor of life scarcely abated — 
terminating a ministry of 34 years and 
three months in the Old First Church — 
has passed to his eternal rest, one who 
had endeared himself to the town. . . 
Voice through the press from 

BENNINGTON CENTRE, SEPT. I. 

Our Village has been shrouded with 
gloom the past week, because of the 
death of the beloved pastor, who has 
gone in and out before us these many 
3^ears. He broke for us the bread of 
life; he baptised our children ; he had . 
united our young men and maidens i" 
marriage ; he had stood beside the 
gi'aves of a whole generation, and giv- 
en to stricken friends such consolation 
as the gospel ot Christ alone furnishes, 
in the kindest and most sympathetic 
manner. He had lived a life of singu- 
lar honest}" and purity and Christian 
fidelity, and become a great factor in 
the life of the people and possessed the 
love and cor.fidence of all without re- 
gard to age, race or sect. He has gone, 
his prayers are ended, and all are ready 
to say : "How is the strong staff" broken 
andthe beautif-al rod!" Many would 
be ready to despair if thej' did not re- 
member how often thej'^ had heard him 



BENNINGTON. 



103 



say : "Let not your heart be troubled." 
The funeral was attended Saturday 
morning, the 26th from the Old First 
Church which was draped, very taste- 
fully by those that loved him ; — the 
pulpit covered with black cloth looped 
up with ])urple asters — in the back- 
ground the motto in immortelles be- 
tween the dates 1853 and 1 887, covering 
the period of his ministry, "Faithful 
unto death." The pulpit chair \va.«. 
trimmed with white flowers sprayed 
with ferns and surmounted by a beau- 
tiful crown. The baptismal font held 
a flower-anchor and white dove, very 
beautiful. The choir gallery Avas also 
heavily draped 

At 10 o'clock, after prayer at the 
parsonage by Dr. Pratt, the casket was 
brought to the church — the five sons of 
the deceased with the three deacons, 
bearers. The remains laid in state until 
11 o'clock, viewed by a large number 
of sorrowing friends. At eleven, the 
mourners seated, the choir sang : 

"Cast thy burden on the Lord " 
Scripture selections read and a touch- 
ing prayer Ijy Rev. J. L. Harrington : 
Hymn : 

"Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep! 

From which none ever wake to weep." 

Funeral sermon by Rev. Dr. P. S. 
Pi'att of Dorset, a long-time and loved 
friend of Mr. Jennings ; text, Ps. i-xvii, 
VI, The address an able analysis of 
the character of the deceased and a lov- 
ing tribute to his memorv. 
After the sermon, In'mu : 
"Servant of God, well done! 
Rest from thy loved employ." 

A beautiful and tender prayer by 
Rev. Dr. A. B. Lambert of Rupert. — 
And after the leave-taking of the dear 
departed he was carried amid the tears 
of strong men to the cemetery and laid 
in the Sfrave lined with everjrreens and 



covered with beautiful flowers, ther« to 
rest till the dawning of that eternal 
Sabbath day, when he shall be re-unit- 
ed with the loving ones gone before and 
with those who shall come after, who 
are now in the thick of the cares and 
duties of life. 

The committal service at the grave 
was by Dr. Pratt ; the benediction by 
Rev. Z. Marten of the Baptist church. 

Mr. Jennings was the second of the 
long line of pastors who have minis- 
terd to the First church to be buried 
here. "Parson Dewey," the first min- 
ister, died nearly 109 years ago. 

After the death of Mr. Jennings and 
during the funeral services the flag of 
the monument was kept at half staff, 
and the resident members of the Mon- 
ument Association attended the funeral 
in a body. 

A. II. 

••There- are times when with bowed 
heads and hushed voices we recall the 
words, "Be still and know that I am 
God." Such a time has come to the 
Old First Church. Upon the earth-side 
how dark it is ! A broken household a 
stricken church ; hearts often bereaved 
aching with a new sorrow 

We have had a beautiful summer, 
it is true, there has been extreme heat, 
but frequent sliowers kept vcgitation as 
fresh as in spring time, foliage as lux- 
uriant. Several weeks ago, we noticed 
the approach of autumn. Golden rod 
threw out its banner along the high- 
way ; upon the mountain side an occa- 
rional bright leaf whispered its proph- 
ec}' of the gorgeous beauty which will 
soon cover them. Our beloved pastor 
had reached his autumn, but the long, 
beautiful summer of life had so ripen- 
ed and mellowed so gently, that even 
the lambs of his flock did not realize 



104 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



that it had past. His smile was so full 
of sunshine, his words so replete with 
cheerful hope. Thir!y-four years min- 
istry have left an impress upon very 
many lives and hearts, his work is not 
ended, though he is ahseut from us- 
The example of his earnest life, loving 
counsel, his tender unfailing sympathy 
and faithful pra3'ers will linger like a 
benidiction through coming 3'eurs. . . 

RESOLUTIONS: 

BENNINGTON BATTLE MONUMENT 

ASSOCIATION. 

August 27, A. D. 1887. 
Introduced by John V. Hall, 

Unanimously adopted. 
Whereas ; The Rev. Isaac Jennings 
has, from the inception of the monu- 
ment enterprise, been one of its 'most 
active promoters, a member and secre- 
tary of the Board of Directors, and 
was at his decease Vice President of 
the Association, and has been ever 
ready to aid by his wise counsels, his 
large influence, his earnest labors and 
liberal contributions, in accomplishing 
the objects of the Association, which 
efforts on his part have ^been interrupt- 
ed only by his death. 
Therefore: Resolved that this Board 
testifies most heartil}^ to the apprecia- 
tion in which he was ever held by this 
body, and to the irreparable loss which 
the Association has sustained in his 
death; and that it will ever be a pleas- 
ant memory to us that his last public 
utterances were given to the work so 
dear to him, and which rendered him 
additionall}^ dear to us ; and that by in- 
voking the benediction of Almighty 
God upon this work and upon the as- 
sembled people, he most fittingly closed, 
at once, the imposing ceremonies at 
the laying of the monument's corner 
stone and his own public life. 



Resolved : That tlie Board of Direc- 
tors and officers of the Association will 
attend the funeral services in a body. 

Resolved : That the foregoing min- 
utes be engrossed and presented to the 
widow of the deceased, and that cop- 
ies be furnished to the lo(;al papers for 
publication. 

J. G. McCULLOUOGH. 

President pro tern. 
John V. Hall, Secretary pro tern. 

From Obituary Notice 
by rev. c. b. hulbert, d. d. 
[In the Religious Herald, Hartford, 
Ct., after a summary of his life. ] 

"A pastorate at such an important 
centre, and of the oldest church in the 
State and prolonged for so many years, 
is itself the highest commendation. — 
In person, he was short and stout; had 
a face in which intelligence, amiability, 
wit and good fellowship contended for 
the supremacy. In manner and voice, 
he was gentle, sympathetic and win- 
ning. As a preacher, his rank among 
ministers was high; but at this point in 
comparison with Iiis extraordinary pas- 
toral service, he suffered. In his per- 
sonal contact with men und in the 
homes of his people, he was a power. 
He ^\as a model husband and father. 
His home was an ideal one. He filled 

it with sunshine During his 

pastorate an event occured that gave 
Mr. Jennings an opportunit}- to dis- 
close his gifts as a historian. In 1863, 
his church celebrated its Centennial. 
The historical discourse given by the 
Pastor, at the time, overflowed its 
bounds and soon after appeared in an 
ample volume, giving the early history 
of the town and of the celebrated bat- 
tle. In this important service, Mr. 
Jennings showed himself an accom- 
plished historian. 



BENNINGTON. 



105 



It is an interesting and felicitous in- 
cident that the last public service of this 
revered and venerable pastor and histo- 
rian should have been to pronounce 
the benediction at the recent service 
of laying of the corner stone of the 
towering monument now asscending 
on the sacred spot. All who have 
known him as a man and a pastor, all 
who will read his histor}" in coming 
time, will recall his character as having 
in it something of the solidity and 
beauty of the ponderous shaft with 
which it is unalterably ass(X?iated." 

[The lOOth Anniversary Poem— page 74.] 

VERMONT : 

BY MUS. JULIA C. R. DORR. 
1. 
O. WOMAN-FORM, niajestic, strong and fair, 
Sitting enthroned wlici-e in upper air 
Thv mountain neaks in solemn grandeur rise, 
i^'iercing tne splendor of the summer skies, — 
V<;rniont our miglity mother crowned to-daj- 
In all the glory of thy hundred years, 
If thou dost bid me sing, how can I hut obey? 
AVhat though the lips may tremble, and tlic 

verse 
That lain would grandly thy grand deeds re- 
hearse 
May trip and falter, and the stammering 

tongue 
Leave all unrhymed the rhymes that should 

be sung ? , 

I can but do thy bidding, as is meet. 
Bowing in humble homage at thy feet— 
Tliy royal feet— and if my words are weak, 
O crowned One, 'twas thou didst bid me speak. 
II. 
Yet what is tliere to say. 
Even on this proud day, 
This day of days, that hath not oft been sung? 
What song is there to sing 

That hath not oft been sumg? 
What laurel can we bring. 
That Ages have not hung 
A thousand times above their glorious dead? 
What crown to crown the living 
Is left us for our giving? 
That is not shaped to other brows 
That wore it long ago? 



Our verj' vows but echo vows 

Brcatlied centuries ago ! 
Earth has no choi-al strain, 
No sweet or sad refrain. 
No lofty paan swelling loud and clear. 
That Virgil did not know. 
Or Dante wandering slow 
In mystic trances did not pause to heax . 
When gods from high Olympus came 
To touch old Homer s lijis with flame. 
The morning stars together sung 
To teach their raptures to his tongue. 
For him the lonely ocean moaned 
For him the mighty winds intoned 
Their deep-voiced clianting, and for him 
Sweet flower-bells pealed in forests dim. 
From earth and air and sky he caught 
The spell of their divinest thought. 
While yet it blossomed fresh and new 
As Eden's rosebuds wet with dew! 
Oh ! to have lived when earth was young 
With all its melodies unsung! 
The dome of Heaven bent nearer then 
When gods and angels talked with men,— 
When song itself was newly born, 
The Incarnation of. the Morn ! 
Cut now, alas! all thought is old, 
All life is but a story told. 
And poet-tongues are manifold; 
And he is bold who tries to wake 
Even for God, or country's sake 
In voice, or pen, or lute or lyre 
Sparks of the old Prometha?n flre ! 
HI. 
And j-et, — O Earth, thank God! — the .soul of 
song 
Is as immortal as the eternal stars! 
O, trembling heart, take courage and be 
strong. 
Hark ! to a voice from yonder ci-ystal bars :— 
"Did the roses blow last .June? 
Do the stars still rise and set? 
And over the crests of the mountains 

Are the light clouds floating yet? 
Do the rivers run to the sea 

With a deep, resistless flow? 
Do the little birds sing north and south 

As the seasons come and go' 
Are the hills as fair as of old? 
Are the skies as blue and far? 
Have j-ou lost the pomp of the sunset? 

Or the light of the evening star? 
Has the glory gone from the morning? 
Do the wild winds wail no more? 



106 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



Is there now no thunder of billows 
Beating the storm-lashed shore? 
"Is Love a forgotten story? 

Is Passion a jester's theme? 
Has Valor thrown down its armor? 

Is Honor an idle dream? 
Is there no pure trust in woman ? 

No conquering faith in God? 
Are there no feet strong to follow 

In the paths the martyrs trod ? 
"Did you find no hero graves 

Wlien your violets bloomed last May- 
Prouder than those of Marathon, 

Or 'old Platea's day? 
When your red, white and blue 

On the free Avinds fluttered out. 
Were there no strong hearts and voices; 
To receive it with a shout? 
Oh ! let the Earth grow old ! 
And the burning stars grow cold! 
And if you will declare man's story told ! 
Yet pure as faith is pure, 
As sure as death is sure. 
As long as love shall live shall song endure !" 

IT. 
When one by one the stately, silent Years 
Glide like pale ghosts beyond our yearning 

sight. 
Vainly we stretch our arms to stay their flight 
So soon, so swift they pass to endless night! 
We hardly learn to name them, 
To praise them, or to blame them, 
To know their shadowy faces. 
Ere we see their empty places! 
Only once the glad spring greets them 
Only once fair summer meets them ; 
Only once the autumn glory 
Tells for them its mystic story ; 
Only once the winter hoary 
Weaves for them its robes of light ! 
Years leave their work half-done; like men, 

alas! 
With sheaves uugathered to their graves they 

pass. 
And are forgotten. What they strive to do 
Lives tor awhile in memory of a few ; 
Then over all Oblivion's waters flow— 
The years are buried in the long ago ! 
But when a Century dies what room is there 

for tears? 
Rather in solemn e.xhaltation let us come, 
AVith roll of drum, 
(Not muffled as in woe,) 
With blare of bugles and the liquid flow 



Of silver clarions and the long appeal 

Of the clear trumpets ringing peal on peal, 

With clash of bells and hosts in proud array 

To pay meet homage to its burial day ! 

For its proud work is done. Its name is writ 

\V here all the ages that come after it 

Shall read the eternal letters blazoned high 

On the blue dome of the impartial skj-. 

What ruthless fate can darken its renown, 

Or dim the lustre of its starry crown ' 

On mountain-peaks of time each century 

stands alone : 
And each, for glory or for shame, hath reaped 
what it hath sown. 
V. 
But this — the one that gave thee birth 
A hundred years ago, O beauteous mother! 
This mighty century had a mightier brother, 

Who from the watching earth 
Passed but last year! Twin-born indeed were 

they,— 
For what arc twelve months to the womb of 

time 
Pregnant with ages?— Hand in hand they 

climbed 
With clear, young eyes uplifted to the stars, 
With great strong souls that never stopped for 

bars. 
Through storm and darkness up to glorious 

day! 
Each knew the other's need; each in his 

breast 
The subtle tie of closest kin confessed ; 
Counted the other's honor as his own ; 
Nor feared to sit upon a separate throne ; 
Nor loved each other less when — wondrous 

fate !— 
One gave a Nation life, and one a State ! 

VI. 
Oh! rud6 the cradle in which each was 

rocked, 
The Infant Nation, and the infant State! 
Rough nurses were the centuries that mockCfi 
At mother-kisses and for mother-arms 
Gave their young nurselings sudden, harsh 

alarms. 
Quick blows and stern rebuffs. They bade 

them wait, 
Often in cold and hunger, while the feast 
was spread for others, and, though last not 

least, 
Gave them sharp swords for playthings, and 

the din 
Of actual battle for the mimic strife 



BENNINGTON. 



107 



That childhood glories in ! 

Yet not less they loved them. Spartans they, 

Who could not rear a weak, effeminate hrood. 

Better the forest's awful solitude, 

Better the desert spaces where the day 

Wanders trom dawn to dusk and finds no life. 
VII. 

But over all the tireless years swept on, 
Till side by side the centuries grew old, 

And the young Nation, great and strong and 
hold, 

Forgot its early struggles in triumphs later 
won! 
It stretched its arms from East to West; 
It gathered to its mighty breast 
From every clime, from every soil. 
The hunted sons of want and toil ; 
It gave to each a dwelling-place ; 
It blent them in one common race ; 
And over all from sea to sea, 
Wide flew the banner of the free ! 
It did not fear the wrath of kings 
Nor the dread grip of deadlier things- 
Gaunt famine with its ghastly horde, 
Dishonor sheathing Its foul sword, 
Nor faithless friend, nor treacherous blow. 
Struck in the dark by stealthy foe ; 
For over all its wide domain. 
From shore to shore, from main to main. 
From vale to mountain -top, it saw 
The reign of plenty, peace and law ! 
VIII. 

Thus fared the Nation , prosperous, great and 
free. 
Prophet and herald of the good to be ; 
And on its humbler way in calm content. 
The lesser State, the while, serenely w ent. 
Safe in her mountain fastnesses she dwelt. 
Her life's first cares forgot, its woes unfelt. 

And thought her bitterest tears had all been 
shed, 

For peace was in her borders and God reigned 



overhead. 



IX. 



But suddenly, over the hills there came , 
A cry that rent her with griet and shame— 
A cry from the Nation in distress. 
Stricken down in its mightiness ! 
With passionate ardor, up she sprang. 
And her voice like the peal of a ti-umpet 

rang,— 
What ho! what ho! brave sons of mine, 
Strong with the strength of the mountain 

pine! 



To the front of the battle, awayl away! 
The Nation i.s bleeding in deadly fray, 
The Nation it may be is dying to-day! 
On, then, to the rescue, away ! awaj' ! 

X. 
Ah! how they answered let the ages tell, 
For they shall guard the sacred story well! 
Green grows the grass, to-day, on many a 
battle-field ; 

War's dread alarms are o'er; its scars are 

healed; 
Its bitter agony has found surcease ; 
A re-united land clasps hands in peace. 
But, Oh! ye blessed dead whose graves are 

strown 

From wliere our forests make perpetual 
moan. 

To those far shores where smiling Southern 

seas 
Give back soft murmurs to the fragrant 

breeze,— 
Oh! ye, who drained for us the bitter cup, 
Think ye we can forget what ye have ofl"ered 

up? 

The years will come and go, and other 

centuries die. 
And generation after generation lie 
Down in the dust; bit long as stars shall 
shine. 
Long as Vermont's green hills shall bear 
the pine, 
As long as Killington shall proudlj- lift 
Its lofty peak above the storm-cloud's rift, 
Or INIansfleld hail the blue, o'erarching 

skies. 
Or fair Mount Anthony in grandeur rise 
So long shall live the deeds that ye havi^ 

done. 
So deathless be the glory ye have won ! 
XI. 
Not with exultant joy 
And pride without alloy. 
Did the twin Centuries rejoice when all was 
o'er. 

What though the Nation rose 
Triumphant o'er its foes? 
What though the State had gained 
The meed of faith unstained? 
Their mighty hearts remembered the dead 
that came no more ! 
Eemembered all the losses. 
The weary, weary crosses. 
Remembered that earth was poorer for the 
blood that had been shed. 



108 



VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 



And knew that it was sadder for the story it 

had read! 
So clasping hands with somewlmt saddened 
mien, 
And eyes uplifted to the great Unseen 
That rules alike o'er centuries and men, 
Onward they walked serenely towards the 
end! 

XI. 
One reached it last year, Ye remember well, 
The wondrous tale there is no need to tell- 
How the whole world bowed down beside its 

bier. 
Heaping their treasures on its mighty pall- 
Never had kingliest king such funeral! 
Old Asia rose and girding her in haste, 
Swept in her jeweled robes across the waste, 
And called to Egypt lying prone and hid 
Where waits the sphinx beside the pyramid; 
Fair Europe came with overflowing hands, 
Bearing the riches of her many lauds; 
Dark Afric, laden with her virgin gold, 
Yet laden deeper with her woes untold ; 
Japan and China in grotesque array, 
And all the enchanted islands ot Cathay! 

xni. 

To-day the other dies, 

It walked in humbler guise. 
Nor stood where all men's eyes 

Were fixed upon it. 
Earth may not pause to lay 

A wreath upon its bier. 
Nor the world heed to-day 
Our dead that lieth here! 
Yet well thej' loved each other- 
It and its gre ater brother. 
To loftiest stature grown. 

Each earned its own renown ; 
Each sought of Time a crown. 
And each has won it. 
XIV. 
But what to us are centuries dead. 
And rolling years forever fled, 
Compared with thee, O! grand and fair 
Vermont— our goddess-mother? 
Strong with the strength of thy verdant hills. 
Fresh with the freshness ot mountain rills, 
Pure as the breath of the fragrant pine, 
Glad with the gladness of youth divine. 
Serenely thou sittest throned to-day 
Where the free winds that round thee play 
Rejoice in thy wav^ of sun-bright hair, 

O! thou, our glorious mother! 

Rejoice in thy beautiful strength and say 

Earth holds not such another! 



Thou art not old with thj' hundred j^ears, 
Nor worn with toil, or care, or tears; 
But all the glow of the summer-time 
Is thine to-day in thy glorious prime ! 
Thy brow is fair as the winter snows, 
With a statelj' calm in its still repose ; 
While the breath of the rose the wild bee sips 
Half-mad with joy, cannot eclipse 
The marvellous sweetness of thy lips; 
And the deepest blue of the laughing skies 
Hides in the depths of thy fearless eyes, 
Gazing afar over land and sea 
Wheiever thy wandering children be ! 

Fold on fold, 
Over thy form of grandest mould, 
Floweth thy robe of forest green, 
Now light, now dark, in its emerald sheen. 
Its broidered hem is of wild flowers rare, 
With feathery fern-fronds light as air. 
Fringing its borders. In thy hair 
• Sprays of the pink arbutus twine. 
And the curling rings of the wild grape-vine ; 
Thy girdle is of silver streams; 
Its clasp with the opaline lustre gleams 
Of a lake asleep in the sunset beanis; 
And half-concealing 
Aud half-revealing. 
Floats over all a veil of mist 
Pale tinted witli rose and amethyst. 
XV. 
Rise up, O' noble mother of brave sons. 
Worthy to rank among earth's mightiest ones 
And daughters fair and beautiful and good, 
Yet wise and strong in loftiest womanhood. 
Rise from thy throne, and standing far and 

high 
Outlined against the blue, adoring sky, 
Lilt up thy voice and stretch thy loving hands 
In benidietion o'er the waiting lands ! 
Take thou, our fealty, at tby feet we bow. 
Glad to renew each oft-repeated vow! 
No costly gifts we bring to thee, to-daj-; 
No votive wreaths upon thy shrine we laj-; 
Take thou, our hearts, then! hearts that fain 

would be 
From this dav forth. O goddess, worthier thee. 

[Space promised Gov. Hall on Bennington 
doubled,— we suspend— while the large vol- 
ume of Bennington Town Histoi-y under the 
happy auspices of their Historical Society is 
being" finished up— withdraw to Notes bv the 
Path of the G.\zettefr, Vol. ii. issued about 
quarterly- now, theiin at tlie old Gov. Hall 
farm-house ;- with mss. at s'd. quarters : James 
Breakenridge farm and family; Papers, yet 
more of the four old governors and their wives 
that lie 'line in line' in the oUl Revolutionary 
grave-yard at Bennington Centre : Robinson, 
Ticheiior, Robinson, Hall ; Parson Dewey, etc. 

Thanks for portrait of Gen. Stark to 
EdsonC. EJistman, of Concord N. H. 



LP Fe '07 



THE LOCAL HISTORY 

— : OF : — 

BENHIHGTON, 

1860—1883. 

The Military, Hi storij of the County, 

BY HON. HILAND HALL, GOV., M. C. 

WITH PAPKRS ON BENNINGTON BATTLE, O/ i ..JO JNT TAVERN, 
POST-OFFICE, VILLAGE STRIFES IN THE TCWN OF BENNINGTON 
FROM 1784 TO 1883, and BENNINGTON FREE LIBRARY, ETC. 

With the Biographij of GoYernor Hall 

FROM THE FAMILY AND OTHERS: 

AND FURTHER ACTION IN REGARD TO 

The Bennington Monument 

IN WHICH HE TOOK A PROMINENT PART, 

BY HENRY D. HALL, ESQ. 

WITH 

BENNINGTON VILLAGES: 

BENNINGTON, NORTH BENNINGTON, 
BENNINGTON ' CENTRE, 

AND THEIR INDUSTRIES. 




ABBY MARIA HE MEN WAY, Editor. 

[ NO. 29 NEWBURY AVE. ] 

CHICAGO : PRICE 75 CENTS. 



1 



